Gillette Mach3 vs Mach3 Turbo – Which is the best?
The number one best-selling cartridge razor in the US and other countries, the Gillette Mach3 still holds that title. Others like the Gillette Fusion5, ProGlide, and Harry’s are not too far behind, though!
Gillette introduced the Gillette Mach3 Turbo about four years after the Mach3, around 2002. Rather than change anything about the Mach3, Gillette enhanced some of the existing features for the Mach3 Turbo.
Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences in this Gillette Mach3 vs Mach3 Turbo and see which razor is best.
About the Mach3 and Similarities
When the Mach3 was introduced in 1998, most cartridge razors or throwaway razor users had a two-blade razor, and these two blades seemed plenty enough. I remember Gillette’s popular cartridge razor was the two-blade Gillette Sensor which was a great razor compared to the throwaway BIC razors at that time.
The Mach3 introduced this new concept of a three-bladed razor, which took off immediately. It became the best razor for me and many others that switched to the Mach3.
Main Features
- Blades: Three blades that Gillette states offer up to 15 shaves. Gillette also states the blades are stronger than steel. However, they will mainly contain steel and a mix of chromium, carbon, and other elements.
- 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.
- Microfin 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 make a 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 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.
Differences in Features
It is hard to see any difference between the Mach3 and Mach3 Turbo as they look identical apart from the colors. However, the Mach3 Turbo has a gray rubberized handle and blue blade strips, while the Mach3 has a black rubberized handle and light blue strips.
Lubrication Strip: Both have a lubrication strip above the blades which helps keep the skin lubricated while shaving. The strip on the Mach3 Turbo is slightly wider and offers more lubrication.
MicroFin Strip: The microfin strip at the bottom of the cartridge blade is slightly wider on the Mach3 Turbo and has more fins.
Blades: Gillette states the Mach3 Turbo has an added anti-friction coating on the blades. Gillette names them Dura-Comfort blades, which sounds great for marketing. The problem with this difference is nothing can be seen visually. This anti-friction coating could make the blades slightly thicker, but that’s just my thoughts, and I cannot see if they are or not.
Gillette Mach3 vs Mach3 Turbo Shave Experience
When I first bought the Mach3 Turbo, I did not expect to see any difference. I never bought one previously because I could not see much difference apart from the extra cost of the Turbo.
I shaved on separate occasions with both razors and then did a side-by-side shave session.
The Mach3 Turbo did offer extra lubrication, which is a benefit for most men. However, I prefer less lubrication from the strips, which enables me to use enough lather made from traditional wet shaving soaps and creams without too much gel from the lubrication strip. Anyway, these lubrication strips lose some of that over-gelling after the first couple of shaves, which enables the razor to work well with soaps and creams.
One thing that stood out for me from the start when first using the Mach3 Turbo: the shave was quicker. I don’t know if that is due to the blades, strips, or both, but the Turbo gives a faster shave.
For this review, I had to do a final side-by-side shave to see if there was any significant difference. Unfortunately, on this occasion, and maybe because the lubrication strips were worn a little, I found no difference, at all.
Price Difference
There is a difference in costs that buyers should be aware of, and it’s worth keeping in mind that frequently buying replacement cartridges does add up over time. The cartridge costs is why some men switch to safety razors from cartridge razors.
Mach3
*Cost (handle + 4 blade): Approx $16 + USD – £16 + UK – €18 EU.
*Cartridges cost (4 pack): Approx $10 USD – £8 UK – €8 EU.
The costs are around 15%+ more for the Turbo than the standard Mach3 cartridge razors and blades.
Mach3 Turbo
*Cost (handle + 4 blades): Approx $22 + USD – £20 + UK – €22 EU.
*Cartridges cost (4 pack): Approx $14 USD – £12 UK – €13 EU.
*Use the above prices as a guide. The prices differ from country to country and the stores that sell them.
I have noticed prices vary significantly at different stores recently, and many stores offer discounts. So it might be worth shopping around when topping up cartridges.
Final Thoughts – Which Razor is Best?
There is not a lot between the Mach3 and Turbo. In all fairness, the Mach3 Turbo could have just been called an improved Mach3.
As mentioned, when I first shaved with the Turbo it did seem like it gave a faster shave than the Mach3. However, after the first couple of shaves the lubrication wore off, and there was no difference at all.
A pack is worth purchasing if the Mach3 Turbo blades are on offer at a store. Otherwise, I would stick with the Mach3.
The real test of an ungraded or revised product is when they are tested side-by-side, rather than believe in the marketing hype.
