Philips Head Shaver Pro 5000 vs. 7000 vs. 9000: Hands-On Comparison
If you’re looking at the Philips Head Shaver Pro range and wondering why there’s a price difference and would like to know what the features and performance differences actually are between the 5000, 7000, and 9000 series, then this article is going to be useful for you.
I’ve used all three, created videos on all of them, and today I’m breaking down the differences so you don’t spend money where you don’t need to and get the model that suits you best.
I doubt many of you are going to choose based on color, but I will tell you anyway. The 5000 is a Deep Black (more of a shiny black), 7000 is Metallic Black (more of silver metallic), and the 9000 is Metallic Ash Gold (yes, I get that color).
The Same Motor (same power)
Let’s start with the most important finding. I’ve checked the specs, the documentation, and most importantly, I’ve tested them side-by-side. The motor in the 9000 series is not an upgrade over the 5000 or 7000 series.
Some companies including Philips (for other shavers) will provide RPM (revolutions per minute) or CPM (cutting actions per minute) measurements and while they don’t tell us much about how it performs in action, they can be good for comparisons like this. However, we have no measurements for these Head Shavers.
When I turn them on (see next video clip), they sound identical and run at the same speed. If you were hoping the 9000 series had more “grunt” or power to get through thicker hair faster, I’m here to tell you it’s the exact same engine under the hood.
Feature Differences: Battery and LED Lights
Since the motors are the same, what are you actually paying for? Half of the story is convenience features:
- Runtime: The 5000 series gives you 60 minutes of cordless use. The 7000 and 9000 series both step up to 90 minutes. That extra 30 minutes is great if you travel, but for daily shaving at home, the 5000 is usually plenty.
- The Display: On the 5000 and 7000, you get a very basic single LED light that tells you when the battery is low or charging. The 9000 series features a 3-segment display that “counts down” as you lose power. It looks nicer, but it doesn’t change the shave.
Accessories: What’s in the Box?
This is also what represents the price gap—the second half of these story.
Travel Cases: The 5000 comes with a basic fabric pouch. The 7000 has a square fabric box. The 9000 comes with a premium solid hard case. Personally, I prefer the hard case because I have a lot of shavers and like to keep them protected, but it’s a luxury, not a necessity.
Here is a quick clip of all three types.
Rinsing Station: Both the 7000 and 9000 include a rinsing tub/pod (see next video clip). You put the solution in, dock the shaver, and it cleans it for you. Is it necessary? No. These are very easy to rinse under the tap without the station.
The 9000 Bonuses: The 9000 series includes three extra cutters (replacement blades) and a handheld mirror for checking the back of your head, as shown below. The mirror is very basic but it is quite useful with the elastic fabric section when using it to check the back of the head (of course, though, head shaving is mostly about feel around the back).
The “Half-Head” Shave Test: 5000 vs. 9000
I did a side-by-side demo with about 3 days of growth. I used the 5000 on my right side and the 9000 on my left.
The Results: In terms of closeness, they are identical. Both leave that very slight “fine sandpaper” feel common with dedicated electric head shavers—it’s not manual razor smooth, but it’s very close.
Interestingly, while shaving, I thought I could hear the 9000 cutting “sharper,” but honestly, that might have been in my head. When I finished and felt both sides, there was zero difference in speed or quality.
Which Model Should You Choose?
The Philips 5000 Series
Best for: Beginners and Budget. If you’ve never used an electric head shaver, start here. My brother-in-law once tried a dedicated head shaver, loved it for a month, and then went back to his cartridge razor. Don’t spend 9000-series money until you know this style of shaving is for you.
Also, if you are being mindful of the pennies, you might want to choose the 5000 Series.
The Philips 7000 Series
Best for: The Middle Ground. You get the better runtime (90 mins) and the rinsing station, but you save money by skipping the segmented LEDs and extra blades.
The Philips 9000 Series
Best for: The “Long Haul” Shaver. If you already know you love electric shaving and you’re in it for the long term, the 9000 makes sense. Why? It comes with extra replacement blades. You’ll have to buy those eventually anyway, so you’re basically prepaying for your maintenance. Plus, the hard travel case is much better for storage.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you’re getting the same shave performance regardless of which one you buy.
Pick the one that fits your budget and your need for accessories.
I should also mention that I am a big fan of the Philips Head Shaver Pro lineup. The 2 – 5 year years warranty and knowing Philips honors their policy is very appealing, on top of it being one of the better dedicated head shavers among the many others I have used and reviewed.
Keep an eye out for my next review, where I’ll be comparing the Philips against the Skull Shaver Pitbull—they are definitely the two big competitors in this space!
