Can travel razors be cheaper? No!
17-7-2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
I praised the luxurious Philips Series 700 travel shaver. But it can be even cheaper. Philips offers a variant with the Series 500 that is half the price. Is it only half as good?
“I know what you did, Philips!” I think as I unbox the Shaver Series 500. Compared to the more expensive version, the manufacturer simply cut corners on design and materials. I tested the Series 700 a while ago while traveling and was impressed by its gentle yet thorough shave. But the price of well over 100 francs is a deterrent if the shaver is only used on holiday.
Two advantages despite the lower price
The Series 500 comes at just the right time: it only costs half as much. Sure, the casing is made of plastic and feels less premium. The magnetically attached blade guard also wobbles more than on the Series 700.
Clearly: the cheaper model looks significantly cheaper. But I notice two advantages: the Series 500 weighs 131 grams, the Series 700 146 grams. That's not much, but every gram you can save counts when it comes to luggage. And I prefer the physical button of the cheaper version to the touch slider on the more elegant model. Press it and the shaver starts – precise and ready to use at any time. Unlike the slider on the more expensive model, where I keep misclicking.
I can already see the headline: “Cheaper travel shaver beats luxury model twice as expensive”.
Then I switch on the Series 500 for the first time, …
… make the first strokes across my face …
… and immediately know that the headline here will be completely different.
More noise, less gentle
I'm a little startled the first time I switch it on. The 500 is massively louder than the 700. Can that be? I measure it. It's over ten decibels more – a perceived doubling of the volume. The more expensive version hums quietly, the cheaper model hums louder, though not unpleasantly. Nevertheless, for me, that's not yet an argument against the cheaper model.
The killer criterion follows now: I place the Philips Series 500 on my cheek and make the first stroke. It audibly shortens the stubble – and I feel it too. The shaver pulls and scrapes on my skin, which is pampered by wet shaves. I immediately notice: without water, I'll get redness or dry patches.
So I moisten my face and continue. Now it's bearable. But I usually need several strokes until everything is cleanly shaved. This puts additional strain on the skin.
The blades of the Series 700 are so much gentler and more pleasant. For me, it's clear: if I'm going to have an electric shaver for travel, it has to be the more expensive model. With it, I can even shave dry without any after-effects. I can only use the Series 500 on moistened skin.
The Series 500 is by no means bad; it's on par with most travel electric shavers. But the Series 700 is simply better. Anyone with sensitive skin and strong beard growth will gladly pay the extra price.
Anyone with less beard growth or less sensitive skin will get their money's worth with the cheaper Series 500. It delivers a solid result in terms of shaving and features.
Good battery life and blade trick
The travel shaver is small and compact. Nevertheless, I measure a good battery life of 50 minutes. This even exceeds the manufacturer's specifications of 40 minutes. The only downside: Philips uses its own charging cable instead of USB-C.
Maintenance is easy. Philips recommends thoroughly cleaning the shaving head every month and changing the blades every two years. Each blade costs around 10 francs or euros.
As a smart aleck, I naturally tried to see if the blades of the more expensive model fit the cheaper Series 500. And they do. So I could buy the entry-level shaver and after two years install the better shaving heads – which cost almost the same.
The effect of this trickery remains small. Even in this new combination, the Series 500 feels rougher than the Series 700. The reason: the shaving head of the more expensive model springs better and moves more flexibly. The better shaving result is not only due to the blades, but to the entire system – which cannot be replaced.
For me personally, the gentler shave of the Series 700 is definitely worth the extra cost.
In a nutshell
Cheaper is fine
The Series 500 is a reliable travel shaver with a 50-minute battery life that is easy to use. Cleaning is straightforward and, according to the manufacturer, the blades are designed to last two years. Maintenance is minimal. Overall, this entry-level model offers good value for money.
For those with sensitive skin who want a gentler shave, we recommend the more expensive Philips model, the Series 700. The Series 500, on the other hand, is hardly any different from other shavers in this price range. It’s fine for the occasional shave whilst travelling, but nothing more than that.
Pro
- easy to use
- robust construction
- long battery life
- quick cleaning
Contra
- Charge using a Philips cable only
- according to
- not suitable for sensitive skin
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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