Philips Norelco 8020X Moisturizing Shaving System
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List Price: Our Price: $79.95 You Save: $5.04 (6%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Philips Norelco 8020X Moisturizing Shaving System
Customer Review: We Don't Need No Stink'n Stubble
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the Philips Norelco 8020X Moisturizing Shaving System as a replacement for my Norelco 5801XL Reflex Action Shaver. My decision for a new shaver was based on the need for replacement blades coupled with the NiCads no longer holding a good charge in the Reflex. Initially I looked at display shavers at Target and was considering a shaver in the Philips Norelco Arcitec line. Since the Arcitec's were the most expensive and wet, lotion dispensing shavers seemed gimmicky, I figured the Arcitec was the way to go. I never even considered a foil shaver as I have always believed rotaries are better. I don't know why but it's just like some people think Toyota is better than Ford.
I began to read some reviews on the various shavers. It seemed to me the common thread was Norelco's Moisturizing Shavers faired better than the Arcitecs. I thought I would give the 8020X a try. I believe shave quality is the same for the 8020X, 8040X and 8060X . Price difference is based on secondary features like auto lotion refill, shorter charge times and longer shave times. I made the decision to buy the cheapest in the line, based on parallel shaving performance between the three.
Instructions were simple and set up was easy. Out of the box I charged the shaver for the required 8 hours. I then filled it with the trial size Nivea for Men Shaving Conditioner supplied. This was simple and there was no mess. The back of the shaver is transparent and you can see when you have filled it to the max line. Wait a couple of seconds between pumps, as the lotions seems to expand inside the shaver's cartridge once dispensed (overfilling just wastes the lotion as it dispenses from two blade centers).
In addition to face shaving I also shave my head. I have very little hair on the crown and normal hair growth on the sides and back of my head. I was never able to get a good head shave with my previous Norelco and I used Schick Xtreme 3 blades for my head.
My first use of my 8020X was in the shower shaving my face and my head. I dispensed the entire cartridge of conditioner during this process. The shave was comfortable as I am already used to rotary shave. The closeness was about the same as the Reflex on the face and it did a fairly decent job on the head (it looked closer than it felt).
I contacted Norelco via live chat. I inquired about using a shave gel, which I can apply directly to my skin due to the amount of conditioner I used, dispensed through the shaver. My thought is this would be more economical. I was informed I can use Nivea for Men Shaving Gel, but other products might harm the shaver.
Upon my second use I figured out a pretty good system. I applied the shave gel to my head and shaved my head. I then moved on to my face using the conditioner dispensed through the shaver. Both products complement each other as they are scented the same. This worked well. Due to the gel and conditioner I was able to make more passes over the stubble for a closer shave without fear of burn or irritation. The result was the closest, most comfortable shave I have ever received with an electric shaver (this is my third electric).
Don't judge your shave right out of the shower. Wait until you have dried off and your pores close. Then feel your beard. Your shave will feel much closer than when you initially finish your shave.
If you're not interested in a wet shave or shaving in the shower I wouldn't recommend this shaver, even though I haven't tried it dry yet. It doesn't catch cut hair but this is a non-issue in the shower.
This shaver, partnered with Nivea for Men, is a shaving system I recommend if you want a comfortable and close shave.
Customer Review: Most Confortable shaving system I ever tried
Summary: 4 Stars
I had a Philips 8160XL, but it irritates so much my neck skin. After that I bought a Panasonic linear electric shaver. Again, a lot of irritation on my neck, so I gave up and returned to razor blades. After a while, I want to return to an electric razor, for the long run savings, because razor blades are expensive. So I start looking. Finally, I have 3 posibilities: Norelco 9160XL, Norelco 8020X and Norelco coolskin 7735X. I found that Norelco 9160XL shares the same cutting blades than the 8160XL, so I discarted. The Norelco Coolskin 7735X was a temptin option, but this shaver use NiCad batteries (this battery suffers from memory, and after some time, retain less shaving time per charge). Finally, I decided for the Norelco 8020X.
Shaver:
This shaver has a body very similar to the new line of Norelco: Arcitec. The shaver is build on light plastic, but feels sturdy. The body is slim and very confortable to handle. You can use this shaver on the shower. Norelco recommends that you only use the Nivea for Men shaving conditioner, but I tried with shaving gel, and I got better results in the confort and closeness department. This is the reason why I tooked one star: Norelco should tell you that you can use others products, not only Nivea (this little can cost $9.95 on amazon plus S/H).
Charging:
Is recommended that you drain the battery before charging. This will prolong battery life. Charginf take only 8 hours. You have check, because if you charge more than 8 hours, it can damage the battery. Philips should had designed a system that shut up the current when the battery is fully charged. One full charge gave 30 minutes of continuos shaving (according to manual). I used an entire week before I had to charge it again.
Cleaning:
Very easy, just rinse the shaving heads using hot water (you can easily do this while you shower, or in the sink). You don't need special solution to clean.
Confort:
This, pherhaps is the most important area. This razon doesn't irritate my skin. Inclusive, I can wash my face using a product with salicilic acid. My recommendation is that you use shaving gel. The shaving conditioner gave me good results, but is not so great to justify the cost. In some days, I shave twice, and cero irritation.
In conclusion:
This is the best shaving system I ever tried. It gave me no irritation on my skin, no matter how agressive my pre-shaving wash soap is. I highly recommend it to any men with sensitive skin. The closeness is similar to the one when you shave with a blade following the grain. Just skip the shaving conditioner and use shaving gel (but not too much, because you can choke the shaving heads).
Customer Review: Don't be scared... it won't bite.
Summary: 4 Stars
When I first started using this razor, I was VERY skeptical, being it was my first electric razor. I received it as a Christmas gift and figured it was as good a time as any to stray away from the world of manual razors.
When I first used it, I was scared to say the least. I didn't know how it would feel, perform, or how my skin would react to it. After I finished my first shave with it, I was a bit unsatisfied. It missed a lot of hair, and left my skin feeling irritated. When I went on to review other electric razors I found that it is very common for electric razors to miss hairs, so I gave this product the benefit of the doubt and decided to give it another shot.
My second shave was more enjoyable. I decided to slow my shave down, and give a little more attention to how I was maneuvering the razor. My results the second time around were a little more favorable. It didn't leave behind as many hairs and my skin was less irritated and a lot smoother.
After a few more times of use, I decided to break down my shave a little more and read the instructions that came with the razor. Turns out, reading the instructions and following them make a HUGE difference. Who would've thought?
After about the first month of use, it became clear that keeping this razor was the best decision I've made in a long time. Now that I have a personalized shaving system down, not only is my shave quick and close, but it's also enjoyable.
This razor cuts close. And I mean CLOSE. And with little to no irritation depending on how hard you press. Sometimes it's hard to gauge how easily certain spots on your face get irritated, so some irritation is just inevitable. The floating heads contour to everything nice and fluently. Philips Norelco advises the consumer to not buy any lotions or cremes to put on your face because it could possibly damage the razor. But I found that I actually get a better shave if I use the dispensing moisturizer in unison with a good face wash, and I can't imagine it doing any harm to the razor. It's never caused me any problems.
All in all, I HIGHLY recommend this razor to anyone and everyone. It's a great razor for first time electric razor users as well as long time veterans. It also shaves just as well as the Braun Pulsonic Series 7 (I should know, I've used the Braun as well, thanks to my roommate) if used correctly, and at half the price! Do your research, give yourself some time to form a shaving routine, and give this razor a chance. You won't regret it.
Customer Review: Philips Norelco 8020X Moisturizing Shaving System
Summary: 4 Stars
A very good shaver. I use it in the shower as a completely wet system and it performs very well. The heads flex to accommodate facial contours just as advertised and overall I like the feel and operation of this unit. It is lightweight and easy to hold and use. The shave is very good, close without cutting or irritating the skin. I've been using electrics for some time so I'm well beyond the habituation period. I keep a three blade on hand to touch up the neck and nose areas, a good idea with any electric.
I have not used the built in moisturizer. I use a common shaving gel applied directly to the face and it works very well. This is just personal preference. The moisturizer they sell as part of the system is more expensive and not as readily available as common gel. You also are told to periodically replace the entire cassette that holds the moisturizer (sold together) for sanitary purposes. This seems a little wasteful and unnecessary. Also, use of the built-in system seems to mandate more frequent and elaborate cleaning. I may or may not use it at some point, but it is definitely not necessary, particularly when you're in the shower.
This is not a high RPM shaver like the Panasonic wet and dry units. It does not have the same sophisticated feel as those shavers although it functions very well. It has a red light that comes on when the built-in battery is low, but does not regulate the charge like the Panasonic does. You have to put your charger on a lamp timer for eight hours or you'll ruin the battery, which I do not believe is replaceable.
At $80 it's overpriced. It should have a built-in charging regulator to protect the battery as do the Panasonics (although this unit is lighter than the Panasonic). You CAN ruin this unit by overcharging. You will also have to replace the heads at some point, so actual life span under daily use is open to question.
Customer Review: awesome shaver
Summary: 5 Stars
Now im not a specialist in this area but this is a pretty darn good shaver. I bought another brand 5 years ago, and I remember the first shave very clearly because my face was on fire. It last me for 5 years so I guess I cant complain. I never changed the blades on the old one so maybe thats why the 8020X could feel so much better.(they were too expensive). The 8020X shave is VERY smooth, the nivea stuff really does make your skin feel "extra special" afterwards. Now I did need to make a second pass on my neck area, but dont we all anyway? My shave was like that with a razor, and none of the burn and irritation, especially on the neck.
I could have bought the more expensive one (8060X), but the difference is that it has a stand, and it auto-fills the lotion into the unit. BIG DEAL!!?, im not that lazy, and it wasnt worth the extra $75 bucks. Also, to clean the heads it just flips open and you rinse underwater, as opposed to mine (8020X) which you have to manually twist of each individual head and put back together. The manual specifically says not to take off more than one at a time as mixing the heads, would diminish your shaving experience. That sounds like a bunch of bull, mumbo-jumbo to me, but I dont really want to find out if its true, since the put it in the manual in a very CYOA tone.
Overall I am very happy that I bought this razor. Its nice to have the option to jump in the shower and shave with it, but i havent found that necessary yet(the 8060X did not say anywhere on the box that you could do the same, though I am sure at that price it would seem ridiculous not to be able to).
Hope this helps someone make a decision, I say if you want a nice shave and dont want to spend a ton of money and dont want to spend too little, and get the equivalent of road rash on your face because you did, get the 8020X.