Gillette Mach3 Turbo Review – Is It Faster or What?
Gillette Mach3 Turbo Razor
The Gillette Mach3 Turbo is the three-bladed cartridge razor that improved on the Mach3, which has been extremely popular since the 90s and is going strong today. We get an upgraded lubrication and microfin strip that seems to speed up the razor slightly.
Pros
Easy to use, even for the beginner
Comfortable shave
Good rubberized handle grip and ergonomics
Flexible head movement
Easy to change blades
Cons
A bit lightweight
Cartridges are costly
Next on our cartridge razor review journey is the Gillette Mach3 Turbo. Who doesn’t like the idea of having a turbo added for an extra boost?
The last cartridge razor I reviewed was the Gillette Mach3. I am doing the reviews in some order (on the Gillette side of things), so I can also offer close comparisons while the testing, using, and reviewing is fresh.
Before receiving the Gillette Mach3 Turbo, I had never used one–as far as I can remember. I always stuck with buying and using the Mach3 in the past, mainly because it was cheaper, and I could not see any difference between them apart from color.
Within this review, we will take a close look at the all-important features and test out the razor for facial shaving with various levels of beard growth and head shaving. Finally, I will recommend who the Turbo would be best suited for within the final thoughts.
Description & Features
The original Gillette Mach3 came on the market in 1998, and the Mach3 Turbo followed about four years later with a few upgrades from the original Mach3.
- Blades: Gillette states three blades offer up to 15 shaves and have an anti-friction coating to provide better performance than the original Mach3.
- Lubrication strip: A lubrication strip at the top of the blade head helps to make the shave more comfortable. This strip produces a gel when it gets wet.
- Skin guard strip: The rubber-lined strip at the bottom of the cartridge aims to offer more comfort when shaving. This microfin strip contacts and stretches the skin and hair before the blades cut.
- Handle: The handle is made from plastic and rubber. The rubber components support a user’s grip when holding the razor.
- Changing blades: A small push button on the top of the razor easily releases the blade, and then a new blade can be clipped on easily.
- Flex head: The head flexes back to around 60 degrees, enabling the razor blades to shave along the various contours of the skin and to get the blade angle correct.
Anything to Say About the Features?
The microfin skin guard at the bottom of the cartridge blades is a great feature that really helps the skin become slightly stretched before the blade hits the skin. This enables the blade to cut deeper into the hair follicles.
I find the lubrication strip also helps improve the shave. Even with a decent shaving cream or soap, sometimes a slight dryness can be left behind the last stroke of the blade, which I find the lubrication strip ensures it offers extra lubrication. Shaving back over the same area also means lubrication is provided as long as the razor is wet enough.
The next useful and simple feature is the blade head movement, which helped shave along the various contours of my face and head. So those areas like under the nose and over the chin were easy to shave.
The ergonomics are very good, and the handle grip is excellent, making the shave easier.
The small button that releases the cartridge blade works very well, and when pressed, the blade kind of jumps out of its clip. Unfortunately, this clip can wear over time, and the cartridges become looser, which is when I buy a new handle.
Shaving Experiences
As mentioned, I have never shaved with a Mach3 Turbo as far as I can remember before this review and could never see a difference between them apart from costing more and color.
However, as you’ll see further along, I found the Mach3 Turbo gave a quicker shave.
Is it Easy to Shave With the Mach3 Turbo?
As mentioned in the last Mach3 review, I had forgotten how easy the Gillette cartridge razors were to shave with, and I enjoyed not having to be as careful as I had to be with the safety razors.
There is very little concern about nicks and cuts while shaving with the Mach3 Turbo, and no real skill is involved. Yes, it does help to have a little technique while shaving with this razor, but if you don’t, you will still get a great nick and cut-free shave.
I still used traditional shaving soap and shaving cream lathered up with a Muhle Shaving Brush on my shaves with the Mach3 Turbo. These quality shaving soaps and creams make all the difference when it comes to having good lubrication between the razor and the skin.
I have found the ergonomics and excellent handle grip ensure the shave experience is easy alongside the blade head movement.
How Often Did You Shave with the Mach3?
I tested out shaving the Gillette Mach3 Turbo with three and two days’ worth of growth and daily shaving; however, I am not a big fan of daily shaving.
I believe three days is enough for the Mach3, although this will depend on a person’s hair growth type. For example, a younger than me guy could probably add a couple more days on who has softer beard hair. One of the main reasons is that these cartridge razors tend to clog up more easily than traditional razors; another reason is that there is not enough blade exposure. If you have longer beard growth and want the Mach3 Turbo shave to be more manageable, trim longer beard growth before shaving with a trimmer, if possible.
The Mach3 Turbo shaved quickly and close on a two and three-day stubble. I did notice that the Mach3 Turbo gave a quicker shave than the standard Mach3, but I found it hard to pinpoint what to attribute that to (it could be the blade coating, slightly larger skin guard, or both).
Daily shaving is not my thing, but I always give it a go for testing razors. The Mach3 gives an excellent shave for me daily; however, I pick up slight neck redness but no soreness. Some guys will find this razor fine and irritation-free for daily shaving.
How Was Head Shaving with the Mach3?
The Mach3 has been my go-to razor for many years for getting a close bald head shave that’s very easy to complete. I didn’t notice much difference between the Mach3 and Turbo; both do a great job at balding my head.
The razor works well when shaving over the various contours of the head, and the back of the head is also easily shaved. The ergonomics, flex head, and other aspects of the razor make this possible.
Do You Have Any Dislikes?
The only thing I am not a fan of with any cartridge razor, including the Mach3 Turbo is how the handles are lightweight, as I prefer a heavier razor. However, if I am head shaving, then weight does not make a difference, and some shaving brands like Muhle make heavier handles for the Mach3 if a heavier handle is a must.
Overall Shaving Experience?
I have enjoyed revisiting shaving with cartridge razors, especially with the Mach3 and Mach3 Turbo being the first tested on this cartridge razor review campaign.
The Mach3 Turbo is such an easy razor to shave with and gives a very good close shave without fretting about nicks and cuts.
If I hadn’t switched to traditional wet shaving with safety razors, I could have carried on using the Mach3 razors for the rest of my life without any complaints at all.
One thing that helps while shaving is rinsing the blades regularly, which helps to make the shave quicker and prevents clogging. Unfortunately, cartridge razor blades do clog up quickly.
Cartridge Longevity?
Gillette states a user may get up to 15 comfortable shaves with a Mach3 blade.
I would say I get about ten shaves out of the cartridges, and when head shaving, maybe about six. Of course, I could get more, but I do like a fresh cartridge.
No one rule fits all. Each user has to find what suits them best and notice when the blade is beginning to dull.
Once the lubrication strip is wearing out, I will change the blade. The lubrication strip can be a better indicator for me than recognizing blade dullness.
Caring for the Blades
The only maintenance or care a person needs to do for their Gillette Mach3 Turbo is to rinse and dry them after use. Drying lightly with a towel or tissue will keep the lubrication strip fresh (they can gel up when left wet), prevent rust, and keep the blades in good condition for as long as possible.
Value for Money – Costs?
When a buyer first purchases a Gillette Mach3 Turbo, the costs will differ based on the number of cartridges in the razor set. You will find a handle sold with one, two, or more cartridges for sale in various stores.
The costs are around 15% more than the standard Mach3 cartridge razors and blades.
*Cost (handle + 3 blades): Approx $21 + USD – £17 + UK – €18 EU.
*Cartridges cost (4 pack): Approx $14 USD – £12 UK – €13 EU.
*Prices can vary from store to store, depending on the country and the razor’s packaging.
If you have a Mach3, you can buy the Mach3 Turbo blades and use them in your existing handle, as they have the same fittings. I found no differences between the handles apart from color.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Gillette Mach3 Turbo Best Suited For?
Just like the Gillette Mach3, the Mach3 Turbo provides a great shave that’s comfortable and easy. The Mach3 still towers over the Mach3 Turbo in the sales charts in the US and above all other cartridge razors.
As mentioned, the Turbo seemed quicker than the standard, and the features were slightly improved. Nothing impressive, though!
The Mach3 Turbo makes an excellent head-shaving razor, and it’s also the perfect tool for shaving your balls (tried and tested).
Young men just starting out shaving who don’t need the learning curve of using a safety or straight razor will find the Mach3 or Turbo an excellent starter razor (or their go-to for life).
The cartridges are cheaper for the Mach3 than other later Gillette cartridge razor models, which is worth keeping in mind.
So, the answer to the title question is – ‘is it faster or what?‘ When comparing the turbo with the standard Mach3 then yes, it was slightly quicker to shave with for some reason.
Next on the list to use, test and review is the Gillette SkinGuard, which is a two-blade razor for guys that have sensitive skin.
