Manscaped The Dome Shaver Pro Review
Manscaped The Dome Shaver Pro
The Manscaped The Dome Shaver Pro is a head shaver that provides a fast and close shave, boasting several advantages. However, comfort was lacking, and I would like to see an improvement in the blade system so that it can approach the gold standard.
Pros
It has good build quality, and it feels very solid and weighty
A very fast shave when shaving daily and every two or three days
Very good battery runtime
The motor feels powerful
It shaves as close as other electric head shavers
The blade design is nearly there, and contact with the scalp is quite good
Cons
It is not as comfortable on the skin while head shaving compared to some other shavers
Very pricey at the moment
The blades would work better if they all moved independently
Only 90 Days Warranty
The latest electric head shaver I picked up for using and reviewing in the hope of finding a great tool for shaving my balding bonce was the pricey but slick-looking Dome Shaver Pro from Manscaped.
Manscaped has become a big name in the men’s grooming industry for products that shave and trim everything from the neck (well, top of the head now) down. Robert reviewed the Manscaped Beard Hedger Trimmer, and I have used and reviewed some of the Manscaped body grooming tools—now, it’s all about head shaving.
The head shaver from Manscaped proved to have useful features and a pretty solid design, but it did not get top marks across the board, which you’ll discover in this review.
Video
You may find additional information in the YouTube video review I created for this head shaver, and the visuals might also be helpful.
Features and Design
I liked the simplicity of the unboxing as there were no low-standard trimmers or head massaging things, etc., in the box (i.e., gimmicky crap).
We get just the shaver, blade cap cover, travel case, instructions, and a USB power cord. That’ll do!
Build Quality & Ergonomics
The Dome Pro feels like a heavy-duty shaver.
The Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold Pro is quite heavy, too, but this is heavier. I have the impression that if it’s heavier, it is of higher quality (although I’m not sure if that’s the correct thinking).
It’s quite large compared to some other head shavers, but it just misses being too bulky to hold. It fits well in the palm and feels comfortable.
This is the first head shaver I have used that offers the option of holding the head section between the fingers, similar to the Skull Shaver (see photo above). This provides a design that makes shaving the back of the head easier, and I like it (I have become accustomed to this after using the Skull Shavers).
The undersides of the shaver have a matte, nonslip finish; however, it lacks rubberized sides or sections, which are typically more grippy. However, the matte nonslip is fine and sufficient.
Blades and Head
The five rotary blades are double-track, which means they have two round sections within each blade, like most rotary shavers. These blades flex in and out together, which helps the blades stay close to the scalp while shaving.
While the blades flex in and out together, they would be better if they were like those of other shavers I have used, such as the FlexSeries Pro recently. The FlexSeries and others have blades that move independently and together, like the Dome Pro, providing much more comfort and better adaptability to various head contours.
A notable feature is the magnetic-type blade removal. It makes it very easy to remove the top blade section.
When removing the top blade section, you will notice that it features a large collection chamber. This is a useful feature as it collects debris inside while we are shaving, and it is useful when it needs cleaning.
The whole head section can also be removed. However, this is of little use and is mostly useful on a head shaver when changing included attachments, such as a trimmer.
While the entire head does not pivot like a Remington RX5 (Balder Pro), it does have some play, which I find useful and beneficial, allowing it to flex when in use.
Power and Battery
Manscaped states that the shaver has a 9,500 RPM motor, and while I couldn’t measure that, I have found it to be quite powerful.
It has a 1400mAh Li-ion battery, which is more than most and equal to the Skull Shaver Pitbull Gold.
We get around 90 minutes of runtime, and it took me a month of shaving every day and every other day to recharge. I am guessing I got more than 90 minutes out of it.
It takes up to 2 hours to fully charge, but a quick charge can be achieved in 10 minutes to get a quick shave. I tried out the quick 10-minute boost, and it did give enough of a boost to do more than two head shaves.
Please note that no adapter is included with the shaver. You can attach it to a USB port on a laptop or device, or we should only use a 1-amp 5-volt adapter with the cord (higher may damage the shaver).
The shaver cannot be used when it is plugged in.
LED Indicators and Travel Lock
Of course, these aspects are not deal breakers but nice accompaniments to have with a head shaver.
The travel lock on this shaver is a separate button under the power button. I am not sure why they could not incorporate a travel lock into the power button, like other head shavers, but that’s not a big deal. The travel lock is activated by holding the button for a few seconds, preventing accidental operation while in transit.
To release the travel lock, just hold the button for a few seconds again.
The simple LED indicators are good enough and provide a light when it is switched on and has charge left in the battery. When recharging, the light will blink; once fully charged, it will stop blinking.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The blades are easy to clean. My routine is to remove the top cap, blow out most of the debris, and then rinse under running warm water.
I usually add a blob of hand antibacterial soap on the blades first for extra cleanliness.
After every three or so shaves, I also add a small drop of blade oil to help maintain the blades’ performance. Manscaped, dont mention this, and you dont have to do it, but it will help for sure.
Manscaped recommends replacing the blades every 10 – 12 months. I like this, as many companies claim every 3-6 months, and mostly to get us on their replacement blades subscription (they also offer this, which I will provide details about). Ten to twelve months is more accurate, and what we want from blades, as all other facial shavers provide and advise no less than 12 months.
The blade cap cover is useful to protect the blades when the shaver is not in use, and I like the travel case (it’s only made from light fabric), which is cool for storage and caring for the device.
Head Shaving Experiences
Before writing this review, I used the Dome Shaver Pro for approximately six weeks.
I used it on three days of growth, then every two days and daily.
Straight away, I felt some discomfort, and after the first three shaves, I was a little sore. The thing is, though, the blades were aggressive (in a good way) and shaved fast and very close. That aggressiveness was good for getting the shave done fast and with a close finish.
The comfort factor was missing, despite achieving a very close shave (not a manual razor close), which is important to me. I get this comfort from the Skull Shavers, FlexSeries Pro, and the MicroTouch Titanium.
I also tried shaving my head wet with shaving cream, and it did not change the comfort or lack of comfort when shaving.
My skin became more accustomed to, or rather adjusted to, the aggressiveness of blades, and the soreness after shaving stopped.
While the blade system is not the best, there is less blade overlap on the scalp than I thought there would be. The whole blade head stays close (kind of hugs) to the scalp pretty well, not perfectly (but good).
I enjoyed having the option of using it like a Skull Shaver (i.e., cupping the blade section in my hand). That’s a nice feature!
Value For Money
This was the biggest snag for me as I found it to be way too pricey at $140 (US) and £130 (GBP).
If the blade system were better and more comfortable like other electric head shavers I have mentioned, then I would be happy to part with around $110 (£100).
I recognize we get a decent fabric travel case with it that would add an extra $10 – $15 to the total price.
This price for this will come down, I guess, as it hasn’t been on the market that long. It could become an option for some guys, then.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)
I get a fast and close shave from the Dome Shaver, and it is a great piece of kit. However, the blade system could be improved, and at that price, I would guide gents towards other head shavers that you can see in this best electric head shavers roundup.
I can see some guys will get on very well with it, especially if they do not get any soreness from the blades. So, if the price drops considerably, then it may become an option for some guys.
I am going to be keeping my eye on Manscaped, as they can do better on this one, and they might just do that, just like the company Freebird did with the FlexSeries Pro.
So I bought the Dome Shaver, but it cuts too much and hurts my skin. In my opinion, the price is too high for blades that hurt my skin.
I’m disappointed with the product.
Saw you review on line and just ordered this head shaver. My third one to go with my Freebird Pro and my Pitbull Diamond and was wondering you never said how long do you get on average before you need to change the blades