Cartridge Razor Review

GilletteLabs Heated Razor Review –More Gimmiky Than Useful & Effective?

Last Updated on June 28, 2023

The GilletteLabs Heated Razor is the next cartridge razor up for testing and reviewing. Its obvious marketing and unique selling feature is providing some heat to the skin before those five blades cut away at the whiskers.

The GilletteLabs Exfoliating Razor previously tested and reviewed is from the same line of Gillette Razor Series (GilletteLabs), sharing the same cartridge blade attachment. 

Once we buy a GilletteLabs, we forsake our rights to use any ProGlide, Fusion, and other blades with the handle. The handles will only attach Labs cartridges. With this comes more costs which we will get into later!

So the GilletteLabs Heated Razor is the most expensive cartridge razor to buy; however, it does have this wonderful feature we could not live without (hint of sarcasm). Well, not quite something we could not live without, but it could offer something to our shave experience. 

With all that being said, this razor did make it on the best cartridge razor roundup page this year, based on being a luxury shaving product. Some guys like to splash out –nothing wrong with that!

One of my first thoughts with any razor like this is whether the main selling point is a marketing gimmick or more gimmicky than useful and effective. My next thought was that heat to the face makes a difference with shaving (traditional barbers use a hot towel, right?). 

This review will look closely at the all-important features, then test out the razor for facial shaving on various days of beard or stubble growth, and I will also test out a head shaving session or two. Then finally, recommend who the razor would be best suited for — within the closing thoughts. 

GilletteLabs Heated Description & Features

Unboxed, I got the handle, power plug, magnetic charging stand and two cartridge blades. A small instruction card is enclosed to give users a quick start guide.

The box makes the starter kit look high quality from the start, and to be fair, the whole starter kit and razor handle look good quality. 

• Blades: The Labs Heated has 5 blades on its cartridge head between the Lubrication and Microcomb strip. 
• Precision Trimmer: Like the ProGlide and others, Gillette has added an extra blade on the top for users to trim sideburns, under the nose, other hard-to-reach areas, and styling. 
• Lubrication: The lubrication strip on all Gillette cartridge razors is a thin strip along the top that gels when wet. It is slightly wider than a Mach3 and Fusion5 on the GilletteLabs Heated.
• Handle: Gillette states the handle is made from premium-grade aluminum zinc. Rubberized sections provide a grip when the razor is in use.
• Flex head: The head flexes back to around 60 – 70 degrees, enabling the razor blades to shave along the various contours of the skin and to get the best blade angle.
• FlexDisc: The razor head can pivot left to right, enabling the razor to move along the skin’s contours more easily.
• Warming Bar: The warming bar is part of the handle and sits inside the cartridge blade. When the power button is pressed, the bar quickly heats up. The heat can be adjusted to two levels (109°F/43°C and 122°F/50°C), with a lower and higher heat level. 
• Changing blades: The top part of the FlexDisc releases the cartridge when pushed with the thumb.
• Waterproof: The handle is fully waterproof and can be used in the shower or bath without affecting the heated electronic feature.

Anything to Add About the Features?

There is definitely a need to expand on the GilletteLabs Heated features to give you guys an idea of what features are what and how useful they are. 

Handle

The handle on the Labs is big and bigger than any other cartridge razor I have used. Its size will be due to the electronic components housed inside the handle.

Underneath and on the top section is rubberized, providing enough grip while shaving. 

While the razor handle is big it’s not heavy, and I thought it might be heavier.

Heated Bar

Let’s talk about the star of the GillletteLabs show. 

This heated section or bar aims to provide heat similar to a hot towel when traditionally used in a barbers shop for wet shaving. 

A hot towel shave will soften the skin and hair before shaving, and if you have never tried it –give it a go, if only for the fresh feeling before and after shaving.

Now, the question is –can the heated bar on the GilletteLabs Heated razor soften the hair and skin before the razor hits the skin? Of course, it won’t steam like a hot towel (it has no steam), but it may have an effect, and it seems I felt some ease while shaving. The face also has lather and water, so along with some heat before a blade hits the hair –it makes sense that the heated bar could simultaneously have an effect.

The heating bar has two settings. It will initially light up bright orange, then turn yellow on a lower setting when the button is held. However, if you are like me –if any grooming product has a high setting you might stick to that, and I see no point in having the bar warm rather than hot.

The bar heats up instantly or within seconds, and the standard setting is pretty hot.

FlexDisc

The FlexDisc feature aims to allow the blade section to move left or right slowly while shaving along the various contours of the face. 

It makes sense that this could be a great feature and benefit while shaving. However, I struggle to see the head provide any movement left or right, although it might have an effect when I shave faster, and I may not be able to see it function. 

FlexHead

All the cartridge razors have this feature, and it’s more important and functional than the FlexDisc. It simply moves back and forth with the pressure a user places on the razor while shaving along the various contours of the face.

Trimmer

Most of the latest cartridge razors and Gillette’s include an extra blade on the top of the cartridge blade. 

The trimmer blade helps us to cut the hair under the nose easily. It works very well for this task, especially when the top lubrication strip is quite wide, causing a gap between the blades and the nose.

This trimmer can also be used for cutting and shaping sideburns or any other beard-styling work. 

I did not see the need for this trimmer blade when I first saw it added to razors –I got on fine without it. But now, I see it as a very useful feature, especially since the lubrication strips have become wider.

Lubrication & Microcomb Strip

The GilletteLabs Heated has a single lubrication strip above the blades which is standard for most cartridge razors. This helps to provide added lubrication on top of the users shaving cream or soap of choice.

The strip on this razor is quite wide and wider than a Mach3. Other razors like the Gillette ProGlide Shield and SkinGuard have an additional lubrication strip at the bottom of the blade cartridge. 

The lubrication strip on this razor is adequate and does its job. It lasts for about six shaves until it starts to lose its lubrication.

Just below the blades you’ll see a very thin black strip with teeth called a microcomb. This is designed to help guide the hair before the blades begin to cut. 

This seems like a useful feature, but it’s not possible to see that it works. 

Some other cartridge razors also have a MicroFin strip that stretches the skin before the blades cut, which is a useful feature. However, the Labs does not have the MicroFin strip and has a rubber comfort section followed by the heated bar.

Magnetic Charging Stand & Charging

The magnetic charging stand that comes with the GilletteLabs Heated is a weighty modern or even futuristic-looking charger gadget. The charging wire and plug are attached to the stand.

I would prefer the cord and plug to detach from the stand as I would like to keep the razor in the stand while it’s not charging without the plug and lead lingering around. That’s not a deal breaker, but it would be an improvement.

It takes about an hour to recharge the razor, and it sits nicely in the stand. I get a few shaves before it needs recharging, and Gillette states we should get approximately six shaves.

The razor does have to be placed in the stand the correct way; otherwise, it will fall over, but once you see how it should be placed–you know, and it’s not a problem. What we do not want to be doing with this razor is dropping it out of the stand and breaking –it’s a costly piece of kit.

Changing Blades

Blade changing is pretty simple. Just push the FlexDisc on the top of the razor and the blade pops out.

Like other Gillette razors, the blade can be attached from inside the cartridge pack. And if needed, it can be detached and replaced by hand easily enough while being cautious not to cut yourself on the blades or precision trimmer on the top.

The blades can be used with the GilletteLabs Exfoliator razor. They are the same cartridge blade, and the exfoliator and heated element are part of the razor rather than the cartridge blade.

Cleaning and Maintenance 

There is little to do regarding maintenance, although a user must keep the razor charged to have some heat with their shave.

Washing the blade out with running water over the back and front of the blades after use will have them cleaned up nicely, and if you want to dry them a little, just pat the blade section on a towel (lightly).

Of course, blade replacement and buying the blades are part of maintenance. 

Gillette suggests the blades can last for up to 20 shaves. However, the longevity of the blades depends on various factors like beard density and how much stubble the person has. I can get about 10 shaves from one of these. 

How Does GilletteLabs Heated Razor Perform and Shave?

One of the main things about the GilletteLabs Heated I wanted to see was the effect or lack of effect from having the heated strip.

I was pleasantly surprised as the heat felt really good on the face, and the shave was very smooth. So the heated element did have a positive effect.

How Often Did You Shave With The Razor?

I tried out shaving my face on various days of growth, including two and three days, and daily shaving for a couple of consecutive days.

The razor handles three and two days of growth very well, and I get a quick and smooth shave. I also tried daily shaving, even though I am not a daily shaving guy, and the feeling was smooth. 

I would not shave on consecutive days for more than two days as it would cause me irritation. Still, guys with normal non-sensitive skin would be able to have a great shave daily with the Labs.

How Was Head Shaving with the GilletteLabs Heated?

Head shaving was odd at first because of the heat, and I wasn’t as pleased as I was when facial shaving with the GilletteLabs Heated. 

What I did not like was the size of the large handle while head shaving –it just felt bulky. Keep in mind that I have used razors like the HeadBlade ATX, which is very small and fits on a finger.

This razor is for facial shaving, but I often test razors out for head shaving, so I can’t criticize the GilletteLabs too much for its non-intended use.

Value for Money?

Cartridge razors are already pricey, and these new innovations and features considerably increase costs. 

If you are budgeting, then of course this razor is not going to be on your radar and probably should not be as plenty of much cheaper razors provide a great shave.

The GilletteLabs heated is about luxury shaving and grooming. It’s nothing to do with necessity.  

—Starter Kit (approx.):  $135 US, £75 UK, and €85 EU

—4 Blade Refills: $25 US, £20 UK, and €20 EU

Prices have come down considerably since the GilletteLabs Heated was introduced in 2019.

The replacement cartridge blades for the GilletteLabs are more expensive than any other Gillette cartridge razor blades.

Final Thoughts – Who do I recommend buys and uses the GilletteLabs Heated Razor?

The GilletteLabs Heated gives a great comfortable shave, and the heat is a welcomed effect on the face. It looks as modern as a razor could look and is what I would call a luxury grooming product. 

The GilletteLabs seems kind to the skin, so I don’t need to ward off gents with sensitive skin. It’s suitable for most skin types, from normal to tough, and might be fine for some guys with sensitive skin.

If you want this razor to have an amazing effect compared to others in the Gillette range, then the GilletteLabs Heated is not the razor for you. In addition, if you are looking at balancing cost and razor performance then look towards other Gillette razors.

If you are a fan of Gillette cartridge razors and don’t mind spending extra cash for a luxury experience then give the Labs Heated a shot.

See you on the next lather up and shave down!

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