Mach3 vs Fusion5 — Which One to Choose?
I reviewed the Gillette Mach3 and Gillette Fusion5 some time back, along with most of Gillette’s cartridge razor line, in a quest to find and compare the best cartridge razors.
Our cartridge razor campaign has led to making some direct comparisons between certain razors because readers and buyers wish to know which model of razor is best for them and to be able to weigh up the pros and cons between them.
The previous competing razors articles you may or may not have seen include — Gillette Labs vs ProGlide and Gillette Fusion5 vs ProGlide.
On this occasion, we are looking at the Gillette Mach3 and Fusion5, which are razors that saw the most significant change in many years.– from three blades to five.
Let’s take a brief look at these razors to remind ourselves of their all-important features.
Gillette Mach3 — Brief Description
After the Gillette Sensor (2-blade), the three-bladed Gillette Mach3 took the market by storm in 1993. It became the best-selling razor on the market in the US and has been ever since, according to this report.
- Blades: Three blades that Gillette states offer up to 15 shaves. Gillette also states the blades are stronger than steel, mainly containing 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.
Let’s not forget Gillette introduced the Mach3 Turbo which had some slight enhancements, and it provided a bit of a quicker shave. I also completed a comparison for these two razors — Mach3 vs Mach3 Turbo.
Fusion5 — Brief Description
The Gillette Fusion 5 directly followed the Mach3 some years later, in 2006 with a bigger change than the Mach3, with five blades.
Five blades seemed like overkill and unnecessary. However, many gents took to the Fusion 5 like a duck to water and preferred the added aggression, plus the other changes the Fusion offered.
- Blades: Gillette states the five blades have an antifriction coating that enables the blades to last up to 20 shaves. They also say that the five blades are evenly spread, which reduces skin bulge, and these blades sit on springs to move with the irregularities of the skin.
- Precision Trimmer: Since the Mach3, Gillette has added an extra thin blade on the top and back of the cartridge called a precision trimmer. Gillette states this blade can be used to cut in sideburns or any other difficult areas like under the nose and shape around beards.
- Lubrication: The top section of the cartridge has a hardened lubrication strip, and when a user wets, it gels up. After gelling, the strip provides added lubrication to a users existing lubrication (i.e., shaving foam, soap, gel, or cream). After a number of shaves, the strip fades and no longer provides sufficient lubrication.
- Handle: The metal handle is lightweight and has rubberized sections to provide enough non-slip grip when shaving. The handle I have is a slick black color.
- 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.
- Microfin Strip: The microfin strip at the bottom of the cartridge blade prepares and slightly stretches the skin before a blade cuts the hairs.
- Changing blades: A small push button on the top of the razor easily releases the blade, and then a new blade is best attached via the cartridge case.
- Interchangeable: Some of the Gillette blades and handles are interchangeable, which includes the Fusion5 with the SkinGuard, and ProGlide.
Similarities and Differences
There are a lot of differences between these two razors, and only the basics are the same.
Not only did Gillette change the blade system massively by adding two more blades, but they also changed the handle. While the handle on the Mach3 is decent, the Fusion5 has a much better solid design and has a little weight to it.
One aspect of the Mach3 handle I liked was the curve you can see in the photo above.
The top of the Fusion5 cartridge blade adds an extra blade that’s a trimmer. This is a useful feature for getting closer under the nose area and supposedly for cutting the sideburn in better. Still, I have never found it helpful in cutting in sideburns, as the blades do that job well enough already.
The trimmer at the top seems to have been more useful with other razors than the Fusion 5 because those razors have a larger lubrication strip that creates a gap between the nose that is left unshaven.
The lubrication strips are very similar on both the Fusion5 and Mach3, however, the Microfin strip at the bottom of the cartridge that stretches the skin slightly before the blades shave are different.
The Microfin strip on the Fusion5 is much wider, which I found quite cumbersome and unnecessary. This strip on the Mach3 is sufficient enough.
While it’s essential to look at features, what really matters is how these two razors compare on the shave and the end result.
Gillette Mach3 vs Fusion5 Shave Experience
You’ll know by now that I have used and tested both the Mach3 and Fusion 5 and reviewed them. I also did a side-by-side shave to see which one was best.
I found the Fusion5 a quicker shave and more aggressive. In addition, I really enjoyed having a larger, better handle that’s a bit more weighty.
I also head-shaved with these two, and the Fusion 5 got the job done a lot quicker than the Mach3, but that’s not to say the Mach3 is slow at all. The Fusion5 is just quicker!
The end result, though, was a shave that was as close as a razor can get. I felt no difference, and no razor shaved closer than the other.
Neither of these razors caused irritation when shaving with 2 or 3 days of growth but like all razors for me, they both caused slight neck redness when attempting to shave daily.
The longevity of the cartridge blades is very similar for both razors and I get about five or so shaves out of them before they need replacing, but many users can get more shaves.
Mach3 vs Fusion5 Costs
This is where we will find a significant difference, which is one we consumers should pay attention to as companies like Gillette are continually slightly upgrading products that cost more.
A starter kit based on the US Gillette websites for the Mach3 (+ 1 cartridge) costs $8, and the Fusion5 costs $20 (+4 cartridges). It is hard to compare these because of the cartridge amount they are supplied with; however, the cost of the replacement cartridges is what we should mainly look at, anyway.
A pack of four Mach3 cartridges costs $11, and four Fusion 5 cartridges cost $18. An extra $7 a pack for the Fusion 5 blades.
Final Thoughts – Which Razor is Best?
As the shaving test shows, the Fusion5 gives a faster and more aggressive shave which is excellent for those with course growth or non-sensitive skin. However, the Mach3 is milder, which would suit those sensitive skin types better.
I don’t believe five blades are really needed, and the Mach3 is still a great razor.
If cost saving is part of your plan, go for the Mach3.
If you like the Fusion 5 and its features but want a more comfortable shave then you could consider an alternative to the Gillette ProGlide.
About the Author
Jason
I’m the chief shaverer over here at ShavingAdvisor and when I am not shaving off any hair I have left, or writing about what I have shaved off – I do a load of other life stuff and enjoy a good cup of tea between doing stuff!
