The Philips Series 5000 is a mid-range electric shaver segment featuring rotary shaving technology. Recently, Philips Norelco updated this series with new models, notably the Philips Norelco 5400 and 5300. Addressing some of the dissatisfaction with the older generation of the Series 5000 shavers, Philips Norelco has made major improvements in the new models, aiming for enhanced customer satisfaction. It’s essential to evaluate whether these upgraded shavers truly meet customer expectations in terms of performance, features, and quality. Drawing from my personal experience, I’m sharing insights about the Philips Norelco Series 5000 shavers to help you make an informed decision for your next purchase.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Powerful SkinProtect blades
- Close and comfortable shaves
- Wet/dry shaver
- Easy to clean
- Reliable battery
- LED display
- Travel lock
- Smart beard adapts sensor
- Popup trimmer
- Quiet performance
Cons
- Bulky device
- Miss-placed power switch
- No travel pouches
- Very few accessories
Insights
Before diving into my personal experience, it’s crucial to highlight the features, specifications, and benefits of the Philips Series 5000 shavers. Let’s explore the general insights of the Philips Series 5000 shavers (Norelco 5400 and 5300 models).
(i). Angular-Shaped Head: The new Philips Series 5000 shavers feature an angular-shaped head, a departure from the older rounded heads. The previous models had the typical rotary head design, but I find the new angular shape to be smarter and more user-friendly. However, while the new design generally feels better, it can be a bit awkward for precision shaves due to the head’s slight elongation beyond the blades. Additionally, the corners of the angular head might feel inconvenient for users accustomed to the regular rounded heads. In practice, the new angular heads are more efficient than their predecessors. I’ll share more about this in the personal experience section.
(ii). SkinProtect Blades: Philips Norelco has introduced new SkinProtect blade technology in the latest 5000 series shavers. These blades are engineered to deliver sharper cutting efficiency while ensuring comfortable, irritation-free glides. The shaver features 45 rounded SkinProtect blades that perform 90,000 cross-cutting actions per minute. Philips Norelco is committed to enhancing shaving comfort, which is why they continuously implement new technologies to improve the shaving experience. From my observations, the SkinProtect blades offer significantly more comfort than the predecessors’ older multi-precision blades.
(iii). Flexible Head:
Here’s a great tweak: Philips Norelco has innovated a 360° flexible shaving head technology in the latest Series 5000 shavers. This technology allows the head to softly flex on the face and adapt closely to skin contact. Unlike the older pivoting heads, the independent, flexible heads of the new Series 5000 shaver effortlessly follow facial contours for a smooth shave. However, I found that the new shaver requires a bit more wrist work when shaving tricky areas due to its bulky and non-pivoting neck.
(iv). Power Source: Philips Norelco has upgraded the rechargeable batteries in their new shavers, and the latest Philips Series 5000 model now features an improved Lithium-ion battery. This battery provides 60 minutes of cordless performance on a full charge. Additionally, there’s a 5-minute quick charge option that’s perfect for urgent shaves when the battery is low and you’re on the go. In comparison, the previous Series 5000 shaver offered only 40 minutes of performance at full charge. However, I noticed that the new battery doesn’t quite deliver a full 60 minutes of shaving power. During the last 5-10 minutes, the shaver tends to slow down, making it difficult to shave effectively. Despite this, it’s still better than having the shaver suddenly turn off in the middle of a shave.
(v). Washable Device:
Both the Philips Norelco 2400 and 2300 shavers are fully washable, making it easy to clean them under running water. Philips Norelco has also introduced a new 1-click head technology, which allows you to open the head chamber with a single click for thorough cleaning. From my experience, these new 5000 Series shavers are easier to clean with direct running water, thanks to the easy-open head technology and the washable housing.
(vi). Wet/dry Shaver: Since the Philips 5000 Series shavers are 100% washable, you can easily use them in the shower. Moreover, they are designed as wet/dry shavers, allowing for quick dry shaves or refreshing wet shaves. This means you can use your favorite shaving cream, gel, or foam for a comfortable and soothing shave. Both the new and older versions of the Series 5000 shavers offer this wet/dry feature, making them versatile for use anytime, anywhere.
(vii). Autosense Technology: The manufacturer used SensIQ auto sense shaving technology in the new 5000 series shaver. Consequently, the shaver can read the beard density and length to adjust the shaving power accordingly. The beard adapt sensor works effortlessly to make the shaving process efficient and comfortable. As a result, you do not need to set the power mood to shave your way.
(viii). Popup Trimmer: The new Philips Series 5000 shavers, including the Philips Norelco 5400 and 5300, now come with a pop-up trimmer instead of the older SmartClick trimmer. There were many objections about the separate SmartClick trimmer in the previous models, so Philips addressed this by upgrading to a new pop-up trimmer. The pop-up trimmer is handy for shaping sideburns and mustaches, simply sliding out for use. However, it’s designed only for precision trimming. If you need to trim longer hairs down to stubble before using the shaver for a close shave, you’ll need a separate trimmer or a professional beard trimmer. The pop-up trimmer simplifies precision trimming and adds the final touches to complete your shave.
(ix). Travel Lock: The Philips Series 5000 shavers come with a convenient travel lock mechanism. This feature ensures the shaver stays secure and prevents it from accidentally turning on due to an accidental press or external impact. Activating and deactivating the travel lock is simple: just press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. The display on the shaver includes a lock icon, so you can easily see when the travel lock is active or inactive.
(x). LED Display: The shaver features a 3-stage LED display on the front. This display is incredibly useful for monitoring battery power, travel lock status, and cleaning reminders. It also shows the charging progress when the shaver is plugged in. All versions of the Philips 5000 series shavers feature this user-friendly LED display.
What’s in the Box?
The Philips 5000 Series shavers are packaged with very basic items without any extraordinary or luxurious accessories. Upon unboxing my Philips Norelco 5400 shaver, I got the following items:
- The main device: The shaver itself.
- Charging cable: A USB Type-A charging cable for recharging the shaver. You can use a USB outlet from your mobile charger or your laptop’s USB port.
- Protective cap: A plastic cap that covers the blades and protects them from outer impacts and dust.
- Cleaning brush: A small brush to clean the spare hair from the blades instantly and brush up the head to remove debris.
- Manual: A detailed guide to accurately use and maintain the shaver and accessories.
I think knowing the package details before buying a shaver is essential, as not all electric shavers come with the same items. Being aware of what’s included helps avoid disappointment and ensures an informed decision.
Personal Experience
My used Philips Norelco 5300 and 5400 have the same design and shape, with the only difference being the color scheme: the 5300 S5588/81 is fully black, while the 5400 S5880/81 is blue and black. Therefore, my experience with both devices is identical. However, they differ significantly from their predecessors, featuring a longer handle and an angular-shaped body instead of the previous rounded design.
The shaver may feel bulkier due to its larger girth and longer body. The angular shape of the heads is useful for comfortable and easy shaving, but new users might find the lengthy edges and corners uncomfortable. It features contour-friendly flex heads, but the actual shaving head does not pivot, making it harder to shave tricky angles on the face and neck, requiring more effort for a close shave.
Philips has introduced innovative one-click-open head technology that makes the cleaning process very convenient. Below the head section, Philips placed their logo and Series 5000 model number, where the power button was located in the older model. In the new 5000 series, the power button is in the middle of the shaver, which I find inconvenient as my grasp often covers the button, causing the shaver to turn off unintentionally. A rubber-coated protection could prevent easy-press turning on.
Philips now emphasizes battery power, and the new 5000 series shaver comes with a larger battery for up to 1 hour of shaving. The LED display is useful for indicating battery power and travel lock status. I always activate the travel lock when placing the shaver in my bag or gadget drawer, so electric shavers with travel locks, like the Philips Series 5000, are very convenient for me.
The “beard adapt sensor” advertised is not very useful for electric shavers, as it always needs to run at the highest power for efficient shaves. The build quality of the new Philips Series 5000 shavers feels sturdy and handy despite some inconveniences. I tried the shaver both personally and professionally and got convincing results, though with some small difficulties.
The shaver provides a very close shave every time, but I had to make more passes than with premium shavers. The shaving closeness is satisfactory, although it takes more time to achieve. The SkinProtect blades are gentle on the skin, providing comfortable shaves without irritation. It can shave a 2-3 day beard without hassle, which is challenging for same-range foil-type razors. The shaver comes with a pop-up trimmer instead of the SmartClick trimming attachment of the older model. The pop-up trimmer does not trim longer hairs to make stubble but is good enough for precision trimming, like sideburn and mustache shaping.
In terms of shaving performance, I am not disappointed with the new Philips Series 5000 shavers. Since both models have identical build quality and performance efficiency, I personally prefer the Philips Norelco 5400 over the 5300 because it is more reasonably priced and has a more attractive blue and black appearance.
Comparison with Alternatives
Braun Series 5: The Braun Series 5 is a foil-type alternative to the Philips Series 5000 shavers, positioned in the same range. The Braun S5 shavers feature three flexible foil shaving elements with SensoFoil and Foil trimmer technology, providing flawless shaves. As a result, they offer a closer shave compared to the Philips S5000 shavers, which are especially effective on shorter hairs. However, the foil design, while efficient, may cause more irritation for those with sensitive skin. The Braun Series 5 shavers come with a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that offers 50 minutes of cordless shaving on a full charge. They also feature innovative EasyClean technology and a waterproof design, making the cleaning process easier and faster. These shavers are suitable for both wet and dry use and have a fixed neck technology. Additionally, the Braun Series 5 shavers come with an EasyClick trimmer attachment that replaces the foil block for precision trimming or shaping the beard, whereas the Philips S5000 shavers have a pop-up trimmer. In my opinion, the best option depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize skin comfort and have sensitive skin, the Philips Norelco 5400 is a great choice. If you want a closer shave in the short stubble and don’t mind a bit more potential irritation, the Braun Series 5 is an excellent option.
Verdict
I’ve never seen an electric shaver that doesn’t have any drawbacks and receives some negative feedback or criticism. The Philips Series 5000 is a mid-range electric shaver segment that offers some premium features. This wet/dry shaver is an excellent choice for men seeking regular close shaves with great skin comfort. However, for being an affordable option, it lacks some demanded attachments that come with premium shavers, and you need to level up your budget for those. Overall, I find the shaving performance and build quality of the Philips Series 5000 to be impressive, making it a convenient and reliable shaver on a budget.
Should You Buy Philips Series 5000 Shaver?
- Yes, if you want an inexpensive but comfortable shaver.
- Yes, if you are seeking a feature-rich mid-range shaver
- Yes, if you’re looking to upgrade your old rotary shaver to a newer, more advanced model.
- No, if you want all the required accessories with an electric shaver
- No, if you want very fast shaving capacity