Head Shaver Review

Remington RX7 XR1600 Review – Quick And Comfortable Head Shave

Continuing on the mission to find and test out the best electric head shavers brought me to pick up a Remington RX7 Ultimate Head Shaver (XR1600).

There is a heck of a lot of these hand-held type electric head shavers on the market. However, many are Chinese copies of the original models and brands that have flooded the big online stores. I stick with well-known companies and smaller Western brands –there is just too much garbage to work through with the others!

The well-known American brand Remington only has two head shaver models, the RX5 (aka Balder Pro –USA) and the shaver reviewed today, Remington RX7 (model XR1600). I previously tested, used, and reviewed the RX5 model and featured it in the best head shavers roundup.

The RX7 can be purchased in the UK, Europe, and other countries outside the USA. It was unavailable in the US for some time, and then Remington brought out the US model — Remington Balder Boss. The Balder Boss and RX7 are the same shavers, although the chrome coating look of the Balder Pro is a better look.

Let’s look at what the Remington RX7 should do for my balding bonce, its features, how it performed after a month’s use, and who it would be best suited for.

Video Review

You might be able to find some additional information in the YouTube video review I created for the Rx7, and/or the visuals might help.

Remington RX7 Description & Features

Unboxed, a buyer gets the shaver, small travel case, blade guard, small cleaning brush, and USB charging cord. 

Something I like about Remington is they state this is not a facial shaver. So many companies claim head shavers, and other male grooming devices are 2-3 or even a 4 in 1 appliance (marketing hype) when in fact, they only do one job well, and a head shaver should only need to shave the head well.  

I state that positive and honest non-marketing hype approach about Remington not recommending the RX7 for facial shaving, and then they go and stick a trimmer on the back of this shaver. More about the trimmer further along, though!

• Handle/Body – The body of this shaver is the handle. The sides of the shaver are rubberized for grip while shaving.
• Blades and Blade head – The five blades are rotary-type cutting heads with dual track blades on each cutter. These blades move inwards and outwards when shaving to adjust to the contours of the head. The neck of the blade head also moves the head in various directions when in use.
• Turbo Speed – The RX7 has an extra button and mode for shaving at turbo speed. Remington states the turbo speed is designed to tackle denser growth. 
• Cordless Operation – As with most shavers, the RX7 has a built-in rechargeable battery that you recharge via a power supply lead. The power cord is USB without an attached plug.
• Charging and Battery – Remington states you’ll need to charge it up for 2 hours to charge fully the first time the shaver is charged. A fully charged battery provides a maximum of 60 minutes of runtime. 
• Wet and Dry – The shaver may be used wet or dry and with shaving foam, soap, or cream. Remington state this shaver is 100% waterproof.
• Detail Trimmer – A pop-up detail trimmer can be released from the front of the shaver for trimming near the sideburns or removing any other hair that requires trimming.
• Light Indicators – The RX7 has a simple LED light for when it is switched on and charging.
• Warranty – Buyers have the right to return when they purchase from the store. Buyers are also given a 100-day money-back guarantee with Remington if they register the shaver online. If you register your product online within 28 days, you’ll get an extra one years guarantee on top of the two years (3 years total).

More About The Features — Pros and Cons

Some of these features are worth explaining more about as they can make a significant difference in performance. I try to cut through the technical jargon as much as I can.

Build Quality & Ergonomics – 7/10

While the Remington RX7 feels and looks very plasticky, it feels solid enough to last a good few years. In addition, its build quality is similar to any decent brand head shavers I have used and better than the few cheapos I tested from Amazon.

The shaver’s body comfortably sits in hand and fits the design requirements of a palm-held shaver that I would expect. In addition, the top section is wider than the bottom, allowing the thumb to hold one side and grip the shaver within the hand. 

Rubberized sides provide enough grip when shaving. However, I did like the feel of Balder Pro (RX5) more despite its uglier appearance (the RX7 does look slicker).

Head Movement (maneuverability) – 8.5/10

Flexible head movement is a useful feature and will help a shaver move along the contours of the head better. The RX7 has this head movement design feature and flexes very well. In addition, the head on the RX7 will move in any direction, which is more pronounced when moving backward and forward by hand. 

Another feature that helps shaving maneuverability is blade movement and flex. The RX7 rotary cutters cover this flex feature required quite well and move in and out along the contours of the head.

Overall, the maneuverability is very good. 

Blades/Cutters – 8/10

Dedicated shavers have anything from 3 – 5+ cutters. The RX7 has five cutters which is plenty enough, and anything above five is just not required.

These five cutters cover quite a large area very well when shaving. In addition, the flex in the blades enables a better shave along the contours of the head, as stated by Remington and desired.

Turbo Speed – 6/10

The Remington RX7 has an extra button that the RX5 Balder Pro does not have, which increases the power and speed of the blade cutters for cutting coarser hair. 

While the turbo speed gives a much quicker shave than the normal speed, I find myself always switching on the turbo speed to get the job done quicker.

My guess is that battery use would be less if a user only uses the shaver in normal mode, which could be a benefit from having a lower and higher power mode. 

This feature may be just a gimmick. However, some gents may find it useful. 

Trimmer – 3/10

I tested out the trimmer on my sideburns to see how well the RX7 cut, and it did not do a very good job. I also cut my ear hairs, which worked well, but the design and where the trimmer is situated make it a little awkward –I will stick with using a dedicated ear hair trimmer.

Not finding trimmers on the back of shavers very useful is normal for me, not just a Remington RX7 issue. However, some guys get along better with attached trimmers.

Accessories 6/10

What accessories or their quality should never be a deal breaker when choosing a head shaver. However, they can be very useful.

The RX7 comes with a simple fabric travel case. It is small, but you should be able to fit the shaver, USB cord, and plug inside the carry case (I manage it). Unfortunately, the RX7 does not come with a plug; we must supply our own.

The plastic blade cover and small cleaning brush are both useful. 

Cleaning & Maintenance – 6/10

The RX7 can be cleaned under the tap and with a cleaning brush when it is dry. However, I found cleaning under the tap did not remove all of the debris from the inner pocket section of the blades.

I found it was best to remove the cutter head section first to blow out and brush out any debris, then switch the shaver on under a tap with running warm water. I use a blob of bacterial hand soap under the tap before cleaning to add extra sparkle and cleansing.

When using shaving cream or foams, it’s best to ensure they are cleaned thoroughly, as the blades can gum up a bit from certain soaps. Any soap left inside the blades will dry up and become hard to wash off. 

A drop of oil on the blades and trimmer after every couple of uses can help maintain the blades. 

The top rotary blade section clips on and off easily enough to clean inside, and the whole shaver head can be removed when pulling the whole head as it is clipped on via a hexagon-shaped section.

Remington said via email that the blade head should be replaced every six months. However, longevity will depend on usage and hair coarseness though, so we should use six months as a guide. I contacted Remington about blade longevity because the box, website, or manual does not provide this information. 

I also emailed Remington and asked if the replacement heads for the RX5 could be used, and they said no–the fitting section is different. This is not true, and they fit the same, but they are different—the RX7 blade section is deeper (for 30% extra flex that Remington mentions).

I am aware that Amazon sellers make copies of blade heads for the RX5 but not the RX7. However, while the RX5 blades are cheaper on Amazon than what Remington sells, I cannot recommend them because of potential quality issues. 

Value for Money – 7.5/10

As mentioned, the Remington RX7 is only available outside the USA, currently in the UK, Europe, and other countries. 

– Costs (approx.): UK – £72 and EU – €96.00

– Costs (approx.): US Balder Boss version – $89.00 at Amazon

The UK price is not too bad and just £10 above the RX5. However, the EU price is a bit high at the time of writing (€30 more than the RX5). These prices will likely change, and maybe they will bring them down in the EU. 

How Does the Remington RX7 Perform and Shave?

After using and reviewing many head shavers, including the preceding RX5 model, I am already accustomed to using this shaver and know what to expect.

I used the RX7 for about one month on numerous occasions before writing up my findings. 

I made sure my hair (what is left on my balding bonce) was as short as the length provided when trimming first with hair clippers. I use another Remington product for trimming – the Remington Quick Cut Pro. It’s best to use these dedicated head shavers with minimal hair.

The shaves I had were very efficient, and within a few minutes, the job was done! While the end shave results were not quite as close as a cartridge or safety razor, the RX7 provides the same closeness as any other electric head shaver. Remington states the shaver cuts to 0.2 mm, which is a fair guide.

I had no issues maneuvering the shaver around the back of my head or the ear areas. 

I did try out the shaver wet shaving with shaving cream, and while it was more comfortable, it was messy and unnecessary. However, some gents prefer this method to prevent irritation, and guys with course curly type hair benefit from softening the hair with lubrication.

I also tried facial shaving despite Remington stating the RX7 is not a facial shaver. As expected, the design, shape, and large blade area make it unfit for a good shave, although anyone without a facial shaver at hand could get away with a quick shave with the RX7 (better than no shave).

Overall, a decent head shave was completed quickly and was similar to many of the other head shaver brands and models I have used.

As mentioned, I only used it in turbo mode and found the two power speeds feature a marketing gimmick. 

Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?

It is always a good idea to see what others say about buying a product, and I round up anything mentioned that is a common pattern among reviewers. 

At the moment, the RX7 is relatively new to the market, reflecting the need for more customer reviews and comments. However, a common thread is that the shaver shaves very well and gets the job done quickly. 

A few comments mentioned the shaver providing a closer or the same closeness of shave they got from a cartridge razor. I would take those comments with a pinch of salt, as it is just not true. The opposite and more truthful side that a few gents mention is the RX7 does not shave as close as a razor, but it’s close enough (I am in agreement with these guys). 

The Vagueness of the manual is mentioned more than twice, which I agree with. However, there is quite a lot of information in the manual, even if a magnifying glass is required to see the words.   

The issue with replacement blades has been mentioned a good few times. It’s a big issue, but I think Remington will sort it out (well, I hope they will).

Final Thoughts – Who do I recommend buys and uses the RX7?

As you can see, the RX7 is just as good as other head shavers in terms of providing a comfortable and quick shave and level of closeness. In addition, the flexibility of head movement is a feature I favor, while I lean more toward the Skull Shavers (brand) regarding ergonomics. 

The lack of information about blade replacement and finding a source to buy them is not good news –and possibly a deal breaker if that does not change.

The RX7 and its predecessor RX5 (Balder Pro – USA) are up there with the best head shavers on the market to compare. First, however, it would help to evaluate what is most important to you while considering the costs of each model. 

If you are a visual person, then you might want to check out my RX7 review on YouTube.

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