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Philishave Electric Shaver Buying Guide

Philips produce a wide range of electric shavers under the brand of Philishave. There are many Philishave models to suit all pockets and shaving requirements.

In the following section we have identified the main Philishave model ranges. You will find all shavers within a range will give the same quality of shave as they share common parts such as the shaving heads and motor. The different models within that range allow you to choose features such as low charge warning lights, charging level displays, longer running time, shorter charging time etc.

Generally, by moving up to a higher range you will find more advanced features and rotary cutting heads. Let us now begin in helping you choose the best Philishave for your needs, from the top down...

Philips Arcitec

Philips Arcitec is the new top of the range for 2007. Released in July 2007, it builds on the style of cutting heads developed for the SmartTouch and provides a new slant on what an electric shaver should perform and look like. The Arcitec features all of the benefits of the SmartTouch range but in an updated, carefully progressed design.

Arcitec Range

Philishave SmartTouch XL

The Philishave SmartTouch XL range of shavers are top of the range razors from Philips. Being the top of the range they feature some of the best Philips has to offer in electric shavers.

All SmartTouch XL models use the new Speed XL cutting heads with three concentric cutting rings on each head. The Speed XL cutting heads gives you the largest cutting surface area of any Philishave past or present, upto 50% more! This should help improve shaving time and also the closeness of your shave.

The Philishave SmartTouch shavers also feature the new 3D contour system. This allows the shavers cutting head to mould and pivot to follow the contours of the face.

Finally the Philishave SmartTouch shavers all feature a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. This gives you a fantastic 90 minutes shaving time between charges which is the longest of any available shaver. A great shaver for travelling with. At this sort of price you also find you get the option of an LCD display with full shaver status and charge level indicators.

The range topping, most capable SmartTouch model is the HQ9190. This is available with or without an automatic clean and charge system. The clean and charge system allows you to put the shaver back into the stand, press a button and initiate the automatic cleaning process that you can walk away from and arrive the following day to be greeted by a fully charged, sparklingly clean shaver. The system uses refills of Philishave JetClean solution which last for approx. 30 cleaning cycles.

The top model with cleaning system is called the HQ9190/21 and the regular model is the HQ9190/22. The only difference is the addition of the clean and charge unit on the HQ9190/21.

Philishave Speed XL

Philishave Speed XL is the upper-middle specification range of shavers. They feature the fantastic new Speed XL cutting heads found in the SmartTouch XL. This gives it the firm base level of performance you would expect from a top Philishave at this price. You will not find the level of head movement present on the SmartTouch range but you will find the tried and tested 3D contour system familiar to previous models.

Ultimately the Speed XL range offers a very solid performance. It could be considered the smaller brother to the SmartTouch XL range of shavers.

Speed XL Range

Philishave Coolskin

Philishave Coolskin are a fantastic way of combining a wet shave with the convenience of dry shaving. The Coolskin range are fully waterproof allowing use in the shower or bath. Each shaver has a compartment to fit a sachet of Philishave Nivea shaving balm to be applied during shaving. By pressing a button on the shaver this balm is dispensed onto the surface of the cutting heads in order to soothe and smooth your morning shave.

The Coolskin was originally marketed as a shaver for people who suffered from shaver burn or irritation from shaving. However they are now used by a broad cross section of users who benefit from the versatility. In terms of shaving head performance and technology Coolskin uses modern 3-D reflex contour following system found in many other top Philishaves.

The Nivea balm is available in two varieties, a cooling gel or a soothing cream. While this is a great idea, obviously you are free to manually apply shaving creams and gels of your choice. We find most people use the specially designed cartridges as it is so convenient.

Coolskin Range

Philishave HQ7200 Series

The Philips HQ7200 series shavers are a special edition with inspired by the Philips partnership with the Williams Formula 1 team. The top model HQ7290 also includes William Formula 1 decals and logo for the true Formula 1 enthusiast!

Shave wise they are well specified models. They feature the high spec. HQ8 cuttings heads featuring slots and holes for maximum closeness. You will also find the HQ7290 features a low charge warning system.

At present all models are mains and rechargeable, tap washable, multi voltage etc... The usual Philips refinements at this price!

HQ7200 Series

Philishave HQ7100 Series

The Philips HQ7100 series shavers are the latest middle of the range electric shaver from Philips. You will notice they have more advanced cutting heads than normal. Each cutting head now features a series of slots and holes, the holes designed to catch those very short hairs for a smooth finish. This is technology that has filtered down from the previous top of the range models, now giving you the best shave ever at this price range.

There is a selection of power configurations to suit all needs, mains, rechargeable etc. These models have about 30 minutes running time. If you want something with a longer shaving time take a look at the Speed XL and even more advanced SmartTouch XL range

HQ7100 Series

Philishave HQ6600 Series

The HQ6600 range offers affordable, dependable Philips shaver performance. They use the latest Philips contour following designs and use the SuperReflex cutting heads for a close finish.

Although not as expensive as some of the other models available this doesn't necessarily mean compromise on shave performance. You will find the running times aren't quite as long from a full charge and the charge time is a little longer on certain models. Shave quality though is as good as you'd expect from a modern Philips shaver, albeit without the very latest cutting head designs found on the more expensive models.

HQ6600 Series

Philishave Micro Action

The Micro Action range are Philips fixed head shavers. They don't feature the flexible contour following head assemblies of the more expensive models. However the cutting heads are similar to many of the more expensive models albeit a little more traditional in design.

More expensive models are a little more refined in use and offer longer running times and shorter charging times. However the shave quality on these models is a good benchmark to work against and certainly provide the excellent Philishave performance users of older models are used to.