Philips Head Shaver Pro 9000 Review: Is the Top Rotary Brand Now the King of Bald?
Philips Head Shaver Pro Series 9000
The Philips Head Shaver Pro 9000 was a very similar experience to the brand of head shavers I have used and reviewed, Skull Shaver. However, a big reason it kind of tops them is the reassurance of a brand that responds to customers and adheres to its return policy.
Pros
It is about as comfortable to shave with as a head shaver could be, and the risk of irritation is low
The design gives us the option to cup the shaver, which makes shaving around the back and sides of the head easy
The blades and head flex when in use, which helps the shaver adapt to the various contours of the head and maintain skin contact
So far, it seems to slightly top the best head shavers I have used os far in terms of closeness (only slight)
Easy to clean with and without the rinsing accessory, plus each blade is easily removed for cleaning
Reassurance of a 2 – 5 year warranty with a brand that adheres to its returns policy and deals with customer complaints efficiently
Cons
It would have been useful to have a percentage charge amount LED indicator
It's quite pricey
It will not shave quite as close as a manual razor
Taller than many other head shavers, which I can see some users not favoring
Grip could be a bit better (i.e., made rubberized)
No USB-C charging and no adapter included
So, Philips has finally released a lineup of dedicated head shavers, the Philips Head Shaver Pro, including this Series 9000 — up for review.
I’ll be honest — I had a feeling that if Philips (Norelco to USA friends) ever decided to make one, it would likely compete with or even surpass the best of the dedicated head shavers I’ve reviewed in the past.
The main reason I wanted to see Philips make a head shaver was simple: trust and reliability.
Over the years, I’ve had plenty of emails and YouTube comments from guys struggling with returns and replacements from some smaller brands (except Remington). Bigger companies like Philips tend to be easier to deal with for warranty claims and returns, so I was genuinely pleased when this model launched.
They’re also the top rotary shaver brand worldwide, so I was curious (and hopeful) to see how well they’d handle a product built specifically for shaving heads.
There are three models — the 5000, 7000, and 9000 Series — I picked up the Philips Head Shaver Pro 9000 Series to make sure the first one I used and reviewed had everything the bundles and models could offer.
Features and Design
Unboxed, in the HS9980 Series 9000 kit, I got the shaver, USB-A power cord (no adapter), rinsing station, protective blade cap, travel case, mirror, and documentation.
When I first unboxed it, I had to admit — I was a little underwhelmed. I don’t know what I was expecting, but for a Philips product, I thought there might be a “wow” factor straight away. Some other brands, like Groomie, Brio, or Manscaped, have flashier designs that make a strong first impression — they don’t actually perform as well in use, though.
Design and Ergonomics
The Head Shaver Pro 9000 has a solid, practical design that fits naturally in the palm of my hand like all other dedicated head shavers.
Design & Ergonomics Ratings
It’s a bit bulkier than some other head shavers I’ve used — like the Remingtons or Freebird Flex Series — but after a few uses, that became a non-issue for me.
Interestingly, Philips has designed it so your fingers can “cup” between the head and the body — similar to Skull Shaver’s ergonomic design. Skull Shaver actually holds a patent on that shape, so Philips has clearly found a smart workaround. This cupped grip is excellent for shaving around the back of the head and gives very good control (see next video clip).
The downside of this design is that the shaver is taller and less compact than some other options. If you prefer a snugger fit that sits lower on your head, like the Freebird, the Philips might feel a bit tall or bulky at first. However, after just a couple of shaves, I found it became a non-issue (plus I was well accustomed to the same size with the Skull Shaver models (see next photo below) and benefited from using the cupping method while head shaving.
The top surface has a matte finish with some textured lines for grip (see next video clip). Personally, I’d prefer a rubberized texture, but it still feels secure enough in hand.
Blades and Head Section
The head features a 360° Flexing Head that moves in all directions (see next video clip). This helps maintain contact with the scalp, especially when holding the shaver in the standard manner.
Head and Blade Movement Ratings
The flexing head feature does not serve a function when using the shaver in the cupping mode as the fingers hold onto the blade head — between the body of the shaver and the head.
The shaver uses four rotary blades. When I apply pressure, the entire head and the individual blades within it flex inwards together. This collective flexing action, combined with the overall head movement, is what I found allows the shaver to constantly adapt to the scalp’s curves for both comfort and closeness, plus maintain skin contact throughout the shave.
The next video clip shows how the heads flex together and each cutter also flexes individually.
Hair Collection Chamber
A feature I like is the large Hair Collection Chamber under the top cap, which effectively catches cut hair, keeping the process much cleaner than if it were all left in the cutters or on my shirt.
I checked inside this chamber after head shaving, and it most definitely functions, and I did not see much debris on my shirt.
Accessories
As this is the 9000 Series, it comes with the most accessories, all of which have a practical use. Fortunately, without the multitude of attachments some other head shavers come with that I find close to useless and just plain gimmicky.
I like the travel case, which is a solid, large fabric case that fits the shaver snugly, with the power cord and a small mirror. The useful protective blade cap cover attached does not affect how it fits into the case.
The Rinsing Station is a square but rounded-corner plastic tub with a section where the blade head can sit. After using this a couple of times, I found it useful, like the one I have with the Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum. It is not necessary, but I find it useful because it helps the soap and water rinse through the shaver very well.
The small mirror might be useful for some guys when shaving the back of the head. I generally go by feel when shaving the back of the head, so I dont really need it.
The 9000 Series also comes with an extra set of cutters, which, of course, hikes up the initial purchase cost.
Battery, Charging, LEDs, and Travel Lock
The battery performance is definitely high-end.
Battery, Charging, and LEDs Ratings
- Runtime: We get about 90 minutes of runtime from a full charge, which is at the higher end for head shavers. It took me an hour to fully recharge the shaver, which is in line with what Philips states in the specs (i.e., 1 hour). It is useful to have the 5-minute quick charge feature to give the battery a quick boost for one shave if needed.
- LED Indicators: The charge is displayed with three simple dots on the front. Once you’re down to a single dot, it’s time to recharge. We also get a simple low battery and on-charge indicator, which is enough. I do like a percentage indicator; it is unfortunate, although not a deal breaker, that the 9000 Series does not have one.
- Charging: It uses a USB-A cord (not USB-C, and some users might prefer the Type-C), but it’s a proprietary Philips connector, meaning you’ll need to keep their specific cable handy. A wall adapter is not included, which is becoming more typical these days (I got plenty of them anyway).
The 9000 Series also has a useful travel lock, which is activated when holding the power button for a few seconds; then holding the button for a few seconds again to deactivate it (see next video clip).
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning is easy, especially if you have the Rinsing Pod, but it’s simple enough without it.
Cleaning & Maintenance Ratings
My usual cleaning routine works well here:
- Pop the top cap off and give the insides a good blow-out (a small brush helps).
- Add a couple of drops of antibacterial liquid soap onto the cutter heads.
- (Using the Rinsing Pod): Pop the shaver into the pod with some warm water and switch it on for 10-15 seconds.
- (Manual Cleaning): Run the shaver for 10-15 seconds with a few drops of water, then rinse thoroughly.
- Leave the cap off and allow the head and cutters to dry completely for a couple of hours. I also shake excess water off and dab the inside and cutters with tissue to speed up teh drying out process.
For a deeper clean, we can remove all the blades by turning the central cog, which is great for a thorough monthly clean. The system on this head shaver is made very well in comparison to others I have used and; it easy to remove the blade holder and cutters, then replace them. This, in my experience, is important to do as cutters generally do get clogged up or at least have a kind of residue over time that needs to be removed.
Philips recommends replacing the cutters (Part Number – HS740) every six months. Mileage will vary based on usage and hair type.
Warranty & Reliability
One big advantage of Philips is its dependable warranty and customer service.
Out of the box, you get 2 years of warranty, but if you register it online, Philips extends that to 5 years, which is excellent.
Considering that many dedicated head shavers are prone to faults over time, this warranty gives real peace of mind.
Philips will also not trick buyers into subscribing to quarterly blade replacements on the initial purchase, which I have seen many buyers unknowingly fall for with some of the other smaller men’s grooming brands.
Head Shaving Experiences
I used the Philips Head Shaver Pro Series 9000 for a few weeks before reviewing it.
I used it with three days and two days of growth, and then shaved daily. Plus after more than three days, and trimmed down prior to shaving with hair clippers when it was over three days.
Head Shaving Ratings
As always, head shaving daily or every other day was best and extremely quick. I have found it is best to not use this or other head shavers on long growth, as it will clog the cutters up, make the shaver motor work harder, and take longer to get the shave done (in other words, nothing positive to gain).
Contours – Staying Close to The Scalp
I could probably say perfect!
It shaves along the various contours, including the back of the head, extremely well.
The next video clip shows clearly how the shaver contours very well and maintains skin contact.
The blades maintain contact with the scalp throughout the shave very well, which can be seen easily when shaving over the top of the head (there is no blade overlap).
Comfort
Comfort is also top-notch and up there with the best that I have experienced (i.e., Skull Shaver, MicroTouch Titanium, FlexSeries Pro).
The cutters kind of glide over the scalp very comfortably.
Speed and Closeness
The shave speed is one of the big advantages here. I can get through a full head shave in just a couple of minutes when shaving daily or every other day.
When I had three or four days of work, I had to spend more time shaving around the back of the head and on my stubborn side areas to reduce the sandpaper feel I get left with from dedicated head shavers. Again, I was shown that head shaving daily or every other day was best.
In terms of closeness, it doesn’t quite match a manual razor, and I’m usually left with a slight stubble on the sides and around the back where the hairline recedes. That said, the overall finish is still very smooth and tidy, and it is a closer finish than many other dedicated head shavers I have tested and reviewed.
If you’re chasing that razor-close result, then no electric head shaver — including this one — is going to deliver quite the same finish. The Braun Series 9 Pro remains the closest I’ve used on the head, but it doesn’t have the same ergonomics or ease of use that a purpose-built head shaver like this one provides.
Wet Shaving
The Philips Head Shaver Pro 9000 can be used with foam, gel, or traditional shaving cream if you want to wet shave. I’ve tried it with a proper lather, and while it works fine, I don’t find a huge benefit from it.
Personally, if I’m going to go to the effort of using shaving cream, I might as well pick up a manual razor instead. However, we guys are all different, and I know some of you benefit from wet shaving with an electric head razor.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Who’s It For?)
The Philips Head Shaver Pro Series 9000 is, in my opinion, one of the best—and possibly the best—dedicated head shaver I have used.
It combines all the key performance factors of the market leaders (comfort, speed, excellent contouring with the cupping design option). It wraps it up in a package with a truly superior warranty.
Who I recommend it to:
- Anyone new to electric head shaving who wants the best overall experience with the backup of a reliable brand.
- Users who prioritize comfort and convenience in an electric shaver, as this gave me very fast and convenient, no mess, head shaves.
- Anyone who is sick of poor aftercare and warranty issues from smaller brands. The 5-year warranty on a product that is prone to faults is a significant selling point, and the fact that the customer service, in my experience, is extremely good.
Who I dont recommend it to:
- Those who want a smaller compact design, like the Remington Balder Pro (RX5), Balder Boss (RX7), or Freebird Flexseries.
- Anyone wanting a manual razor with a close finish. It is not going to provide a baby butt smooth finish in most cases.
- For those wanting a cheaper option under $100 (£100). However, you can think about getting the 5000 or 7000 Series.
While the design is a little taller than some, and it uses a proprietary USB cable, the performance and the peace of mind from the Philips warranty make this a top-tier contender that is genuinely competing with the established “best in class” head shavers.
Hi, I got this Philips head shaver recently however I have been considering getting the Braun series 9 for shaving my head. Is it worth it over the Philips if price isn’t too much of a problem for me (but I am aware the Braun isn’t a dedicated head shaver like the Philips)? And do you think it will cut my shaving time down as it takes me quite a while to get it smooth with the Philips.