Philips i9000 (X9000) Review – More Affordable Model In The i9000 Lineup
Philips i9000 (X9000) Shaver
The X90xx models from the i9000 lineup are more in line with the previous Series 9000 shavers in terms of features and design, plus cost. We get the same shaver head as the other i9000 models (i.e, Prestige and Ultra), but not quite the same top-end performance — as expected with its lower cost.
Pros
While its design is not quite the S9000 or top-tier i9000 Ultra models, it still fits comfortably in the hand
It has the typical 360-degree flexi head, which helps a lot with contouring
The heads and cutters flex, which also helps with contouring and maintaining skin contact through the shave
Very minimal leftover patches, and any patches or tricky hairs are easy to remove
This model has less of the Groomtribe tech stuff, which is good for those not interested in that feature
It is very easy to clean with the push-and-flip-out head design
It provides good rotary-style shaver performance at a fair price
Cons
The Built-In trimmer is quite noisy and only just about helps trim the sideburns
It was not very good shaving with over three days of growth, and even pulled the odd hair
The shape and ergonomics do not match the snug fit of the S9000 Prestige, i9000 Ultra, and Panasonic Arc5
I’ve spent plenty of time with Philips’ top-tier rotaries, having already covered the S9000 Prestige, the i9000 Prestige, and the flagship i9000 Prestige Ultra.
Now, it’s time to take a step back and review a model that sits just below those heavy hitters: the Philips i9000 (also known as the X9000 and X9002).
Philips launched the i9000 lineup in 2025, and I expected the X9000 to offer less performance and fewer features than its Prestige and Prestige Ultra siblings. I say expected, because it comes with a significantly lower price tag.
It is worth noting that there are currently two models, the X9000 and the X9002. The only difference between the X9000 and X9002 models is color, with the X9002 being dark slate rather than ink black.
To avoid confusion with the other top models, I think it’s best to simply name this one the X90 or X9000. It helps clearly separate it from the i9000 Prestige and the i9000 Ultra, which was a common issue when this i9000 shaver line first launched.
Any i9000 beginning with X90** will be the same shaver in terms of performance and main features!
In this review, I’ll outline the pros and cons of the shaver features (as I experienced them), its actual performance, and who I believe it’s best suited for. As always, this is based on my own hands-on experience — no fluff, no hype, just a real perspective.
Description & Features
The model I’ve been using is the X9000/10. The number after the slash generally indicates the accessory set that comes with the shaver.
The shaver kit included:
- Travel case
- Charging stand
- Cleaning brush
- USB-A cable (non-type-C)
I didn’t opt for the model with the Quick Clean Pod this time, as I already have a few at home.
I view the i9000 as the new Series 9000, and they look almost identical. However, a practical and helpful difference is the updated blade heads, which are the same on the i9000 Prestige and i9000 Ultra models.
Design & Ergonomics
The body has a more squared-off shape, which reminds me of the 5000, 7000, and previous 9000 series. While it’s not quite as snug-fitting in the hand as the i9000 Prestige Ultra or S9000 Prestige, it still fits well enough in the palm of my hand.
Design & Ergonomics Ratings
The X9000 will naturally be slightly larger than the i9000 Ultra model, which is partly due to this model having a built-in trimmer, unlike the Ultra that requires an attached trimmer.
The rubberized grip on the sides and the tapering toward the bottom certainly help provide a non-slip, secure hold.
Head and Blades
I’ve always liked the full movement of the Philips rotary head, which the X90** also has. It moves in all directions, which is great for maintaining contact over the various curves and contours of the face, like the jawline and chin.
Head and Blades Movement/Flex Ratings
The three individual shaver heads flex inward, which is another feature that aids in contouring and maintaining skin contact. Each cutter also flexes slightly, as observed when I press each one individually.
For the i9000 series, Philips improved the blade heads, which include:
- The bottom sections are thinner than those of older models.
- They rounded off the edges, making them less angular.
In the past, Philips shaver heads were rounded, and this angular design was only introduced a few years ago. However, it appears that Philips is trying to make them more rounded again, but not fully rounded.
I disliked the angular design at first, but after using shavers with this design for a while, I found it made no real difference in performance. However, I do like how they have refined the recent heads.
The entire head unit can be easily clipped on and off, which is useful if you purchase a bundle that includes various attachments.
The head flips open easily with its touch-button design. This is a great feature that I like, making routine cleaning or cutter replacement much simpler.
This model in the lineup of i9000 shavers also shares the same Triple-Action Lift & Cut System (Dual Track) self-sharpening cutters of the i9000 Prestige and Ultra. Im not an engineer, but I do have many cutters to compare, and these are another level of quality and function compared with others.
Bluetooth/Groomtribe App
The shaver can connect via Bluetooth to the Groomtribe app, offering shaving guidance and shaver care support. I’m not a huge fan of this kind of technology myself, but for those who are into tech-guided grooming, the option is there.
I first used this tech with the Series 7000 a few years ago, and then recently with the i9000 Prestige and i9000 Ultra. The Prestige and Ultra Groomtribe tech is much more advanced than this X9000. If tech is of interest and important to you, then consider checking out the i9000 Prstige and Ultra.
Im running four shavers on that app now purely for review purposes. I have no interest whatsoever in its guidance and find it just another app I would like to delete from my phone. However, you might get more out of it than I have.
Charging, LED Indicators, and Travel Lock
Charging takes about one hour, giving roughly 50 minutes of runtime, which is fairly standard. This is about 10 minutes less than the higher-end models, but I would not consider that 10 minutes a deal breaker.
There’s also a 5-minute quick-charge function, which is handy if you just need enough power for a single shave.
Charging is via a USB-A cable, though you’ll need to provide your own wall adapter. It’s not USB-C, which some users might prefer, but Philips seems to be sticking with their proprietary connector for now.
The LED screen is simpler than those of the i9000 Prestige and i9000 Ultra, but it is perfectly good enough. It features a three-segment battery indicator that indicates when it’s time to recharge. It also includes indicators for cleaning, replacing cutters, and connectivity to the Groomtribe app.
The shaver also has an indicator for the Travel Lock feature. I really appreciate having a Travel Lock to prevent the shaver from switching on during transit. This lock is activated by holding teh power button for a few seconds and then deactivated when holding the power button for another few seconds.
The X9000 also features a pickup and display function, which causes the LED to illuminate and display the remaining battery charge simply by picking up the shaver. This feature can also be activated simply by moving whatever the shaver is lying on (e.g., a table), which makes it useful to have a travel lock to prevent it from lighting up during travel.
Built-In Trimmer
The X9000 features a built-in trimmer that flips out on the back. It’s operated by simply sliding a button down.
I’ll be honest: it’s not the greatest trimmer. It won’t replace a dedicated trimmer, and it has a noticeable rattle when powered on. However, it’s handy for quick touch-ups on sideburns or tackling those tricky hairs right under the nose. It will help, but don’t expect miracles.
Accessories/Bundles
Currently, the only difference between the bundles is the model I have, which comes with a travel case and charging stand, and the other comes with the Quick Clean Pod.
I appreciate having the Quick Clean Pod for the extra cleansing and lubrication it provides, which helps keep the cutters in good condition — especially useful for those living in areas with hard water. Of course, the additional costs of cleaning and replacing pod cartridges should be considered (See Philips Quick Clean Pod Review and Demo Setup).
The photos below show the updated Quick Clean Pod we get with the X90** models and the i9000 shavers. They both function the same, with the main difference being that the new cleaning pod is thinner and made with a see-through plastic.
We need to consider the additional costs associated with owning the pod and replacing its cartridges. However, I believe they are quite affordable at $12 for two (currently). We also have the option of using other shaver solution options sold on Amazon and other stores, which are much cheaper (I haven’t used any yet).
The hard fabric travel case is a useful accessory. It only has room to stow the shaver and USB cable inside, which is good enough, I guess.
While the charging stand is useful, I would like to see something more solid and weighted, like what I got with the Gillette Exfoliating Razor. Im not sure why they only provide a cheapo plastic one, but it does provide a place to stand my shaver.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If you don’t have the cleaning pod, manual cleaning is quite straightforward. Here is my manual cleaning routine:
- Open and Brush: Flip open the top cap and blow/brush out the main debris.
- Soap and Water Clean: Put a couple of drops of antibacterial soap and a splash of water inside the cutters. Power the shaver on for 10-15 seconds to allow the soap to run through, then give it a thorough rinse.
- Drying: Shake off excess water and let it air dry. A vigorous shake (being careful not to rattle the head off!) and a dab with tissue can help speed up the drying process.
Cleaning & Maintenance Ratings
It’s important to give the individual cutters a deep clean at least once a month.
- Take out one cutter at a time to avoid mixing them up.
- Inside the top cap, each cutter has an arrow pointing in a specific direction. Turn it counterclockwise to unlock, then remove it for cleaning.
- Put the cutter back in and turn it clockwise to secure it in place.
Philips does not state that we should oil the cutters. However, out of habit and a belief that it maintains the cutters and makes them function better, I still add a couple of drops on each cutter after every wet clean (it can also be done after wet shaving). I have contacted Philips about this, and they stated we don’t have to oil them, but we can if we choose.
The replacement cutters are the SH91 part number. They are the same as those used for the i9000 Ultra and Prestige. These last up to 2 years, depending on your beard type and use frequency.
Shaving Experiences
I have spent several weeks, well, more like months, with all the i9000 models. I have also been doing side-by-side comparison shaves (i.e., shaving on one side with one shaver and then the other side with the other shaver).
Shaving Experience Ratings
When I first switched to the X9000 from the i9000 Ultra, it felt somewhat harsher on the skin. But after a week or so, my skin adjusted, and it became quite comfortable.
I tested the shaver daily, every other day, and after letting my beard grow for three to four days.
- 2–3 days of growth: Good results—close, comfortable, and fast. Not as quick as the i9000 Prestige and Ultra, though.
- 4+ days of growth: It started to struggle a bit, leaving a few stray hairs and patches that needed extra attention. I also felt a few hairs getting tugged, but I do have quite coarse growth. Men with finer hair are likely to be able to shave more easily than I with four days or more of growth.
- Daily shaving: Very good overall. I usually experience excessive irritation after three consecutive days of testing; however, I was still fine and irritation-free after three days. For men who shave daily, this option should be suitable.
Shaving every two days (approximately 72 hours is more precise) was the sweet spot for me—it allowed the i9000 (X9000) to give me a fairly quick and effortless shave every time.
I’ve found it helpful to start with circular motions for the first pass, especially on the longer growth, as it helps avoid that initial tugging. After the first pass, I move to straight lines and shave against the grain with slightly more pressure to get that extra closeness. If you have sensitive skin, stick to lighter pressure!
Contouring and Skin Contact
The movable head and flexi-blades glide smoothly along the jaw and chin area, which is a major positive. As with the other i9000 models, the shaver excels at maintaining skin contact throughout the entire shave.
Tricky Hairs/Areas and Leftovers
The area under the nose is always tricky. Circular motions won’t suffice here; you’ll need to move up and down against the grain. Sometimes, gently moving the nose can help the blades clear the hairs.
Closeness & Speed
The shave was fairly close, but here is the key difference when considering the other i9000 models: I found myself spending much more time trying to achieve the same level of closeness I do effortlessly with the i9000 Prestige and Ultra. I was having to work harder on certain patches, especially on my chin, to remove all the stubborn hairs.
Comfort
The blade heads and design do help provide a comfortable shave. However, after using the i9000 Ultra, which provides a super comfortable shave, the difference was noticeable to me. Nonetheless, we must keep in mind that the X9000 costs significantly less.
Post-Shave, Debris, and Noise
My post-shaves were overall positive. While I generally experience some stinging after shaving, even with high-end shavers, it has been minimal with this shaver. My skin was well adjusted to these cutters, though, as I had been using the i9000 models for a good few weeks. However, if you are new to this shaver, you might need to give your skin a few weeks to adjust, and you might feel some stinging sensation. This mild irritation is easily cleared up when applying post-shave balm.
As with other Philips shavers, the head section collected most of the debris, and there was very minimal debris found on me.
In terms of sound, I found it is pretty quiet and non-intrusive, and quieter than a foil shaver (as expected). That kind of drilling noise that the built-in trimmer makes, though, is annoying!
Wet Shaving
Like most electric shavers, the shaver supports both wet and dry use. I tested it with traditional shaving cream but found no noticeable benefit.
Furthermore, the addition of shaving cream introduces cleanup, thereby detracting from the inherent convenience offered by an electric device over a manual razor.
However, if you prefer or wish to try wet electric shaving, the X9000 performs well. While I personally did not achieve a closer shave, others might experience a slight improvement.
Head Shaving
The i9000 was notable as it’s the first rotary facial shaver I’ve encountered with official documentation supporting head shaving (there is also a picture in the manual). This eliminates any concerns I had about the warranty when using facial shavers on my head.
Philips advises against using it on hair growth exceeding 1.5 mm. I could not agree more!
The head shaves were very good: comfortable, quick, and the shaver followed scalp contours and maintained skin contact very effectively.
In terms of closeness, it didn’t quite match the Braun Series 8 or 9 Pro. However, it surpassed them in contouring and comfort.
If the X9000 meets your needs as a facial shaver, it makes a great secondary head shaver. I would not recommend it solely for head shaving, as dedicated head shavers offer better ergonomics and have a wider blade area.
Overall Shaving Performance Ratings
Value For Money
The big advantage of the X9000 is its price. The starting price for this shaver is significantly more approachable than those of the Prestige and Ultra models, coming in at around $190 in the USA and £170 in the UK.
Value for Money Ratings
Prices will vary based on the specific accessories included in the bundle, but that starting point is considerably cheaper.
Don’t forget the running cost of any electric shaver: replacement cutters.
- Part Number: SH91
- Recommended Replacement: Approximately every 2 years (though mileage will vary based on your hair growth and usage).
- Approximate Cost: Around $60 in the USA and £50 in the UK for a set.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Whose It For?)
Ultimately, the X9000 gets the job done very well. It achieves a fairly close shave and deals well with leftover or flat-lying hairs, but it requires more time and effort than its top-tier siblings.
It is most definitely a step up from the Philips 5000 and 7000 series shavers. And, as expected, it is a step down from the i9000 Prestige and Ultra.
Philips has positioned this shaver correctly—it provides a great rotary shave at a much more accessible price point. If you’re looking for high-end features and closeness without the top-tier cost of the Prestige models, the X9000 is a good choice.
If you want more from a rotary style shaver and you are willing to part with over $200 (£200) of cash, then by all means go check out the i9000 Prestige or, for even more comfort, the i9000 Ultra. On the other hand, if you wish to have your shaver expenditure closer to — or even under $100 (£100) — then I believe the Series 5000 is a very good option.
On a side note, I would like to see Philips put their money and time into improving things like a better charging stand and maybe an electric cleaning pod rather than the Groomtribe and Bluetooth tech stuff.
Do drop a comment below if you have further questions about the i9000 or if you have any experience with the shaver you would like to share.
