Philips (Norelco) Bodygroom 1100 Review – A Budget Body Trimmer That Surprised Me
Philips (Norelco) Bodygroom 1100
The Philips Bodygroom 1100 is a handy body trimming tool that’s inexpensive and trims much quicker than I expected. It could be the ideal manscaping tool for those new to body trimmers to try out without spending a lot of money.
Pros
It gives a surprisingly quick trim on larger areas like the chest, despite being a small grooming tool
The small head and shape make it easy to maneuver around small and tricky areas
The 0.5mm comb gets a very close trim finish
It's inexpensive, and most guys could try it without concern of spending too much money if it's not suitable
Blades are self-sharpening, and replacement blades are not required
Cons
It was a mixed bag when shaving the crown jewels, and I did get nicked (2nd time trimming)
The trimmer attachments are a little flimsy and were jammed on two occasions
I was not in a hurry to use and review the Philips Bodygroom 1100 Series, as my initial thought was that it was just too small, and possibly because it was so inexpensive (and I judged that it must be low quality).
The Series 1100 looked too small, and I thought it could potentially lack in performance, which is why I used and reviewed the Philips 3000, 5000, and 7000 Series Bodygroom first.
Anyway………
The 1100, which aims to trim anywhere from the neck down, proved to be a much better manscaping tool than I expected, but things were not perfect—my experience has not been faultless (thus far).
I will run through the pros and cons of the features and design in this review, share my experiences with trimming various body parts while also considering and mentioning other body grooming tools I have used and reviewed.
Hopefully, you will have a better idea of whether the Philips Bodygroom 1100 is right for you by the time we’re done here.
Description & Features
Unboxed (BG1026/60 model I got), I got the trimmer, two attachable combs, a Philips AA battery, a rubber shower cord, and a user manual/instructions.
It’s strikingly similar to the Philips OneBlade in terms of size and appearance. The OneBlade has a very different head, though, and it shaves, so they dont compare fully with each other, although the OneBlade can body groom (not quite as good, in my experience).
One downside is that, unlike the Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0 Plus and 4.0 Pro I have used, which maintain a constant RPM even as the battery runs low, the 1100 does not. This can result in a drop in performance and an increased likelihood of hair-pulling when the power starts to dip, which is something to consider, especially for groin grooming.
Design, Build, and Ergonomics
The 1100 is a compact device, unlike the larger sizes typically found with other trimmers, including beard trimmers, hair clippers, and body groomers from the Philips range and other brands.
Build Quality & Ergonomics Ratings
It has a functional shape that fits nicely in my hand, while also providing a rubberized grip (the rubberized area covers most of the trimmer body).
It feels solid enough to me and of good quality.
I find that the head and top sections are designed perfectly for accessing hard-to-reach areas or tricky spots. Think between the scrotum and legs and the underarms.
The bottom half of the handle is the battery section, and with a simple twist, the bottom can be removed to change the battery.
Trimmer Blades and Combs
Unlike other body groomers from the Philips range, the 1100 does not have a shaver foil cassette. Instead, it features very slim, double-sided trimmer blades with a flat top (visuals below provide a clearer explanation).
Trimmer Blade & Combs Ratings
The trimmer blade and combs are bidirectional, allowing us to trim back and forth without needing to move the trimmer in just one direction.
Philips claims the blades are self-sharpening and don’t require replacement. You can’t buy replacement heads anyway, so once they dull (they will eventually), it’s time for a new trimmer. But honestly, if I get around three years out of this thing, I’d be happy with that. For $20, that’s decent value (a replacement head and blade would probably cost close to that anyway).
We get two guards: one for 0.5 mm (almost skin-close) and another for 3 mm (a bit more modest). The 0.5 mm is more of a protector between the blades and the skin than it is a change in cutting length.
One thing I initially struggled with was removing the trimming guards. When I first tried to take one off, it was so tightly fitted I thought I was going to break it (instructions and videos did not help). I actually had to wedge it off with a screwdriver. After that first time, it has been much easier (although it happened once again). It’s worth noting for anyone buying it new.
When the guard does not stick, the combs are very easy to remove and change over.
Battery, Charging, and Runtime
There is no rechargeable battery; it runs on a single AA battery (included), which Philips claims can last between 45 and 60 minutes.
I have used the trimmer for around 45 minutes so far, and it seems to be running at the same speed.
It’s worth having a spare AA battery, just in case you end up with a partially completed trim.
Another thing missing is an LED battery indicator. I know it’s a budget trimmer, but even a basic low-battery indicator would have been helpful.
Cleaning and Maintenance
As mentioned, the blades are self-sharpening, and they cannot be replaced.
Cleaning is easy, and the trimmer is fully waterproof. I add a little antibacterial soap to the blade area after blowing out hairs, and then rinse it under running warm water from the tap.
During trimming sessions, especially on my chest, I removed the combs and gave the trimmer head a quick blow to prevent the blades from clogging. I did notice that hairs were getting clogged up slightly, and I was glad I removed the head at times.
We can replace the 0.5mm guard if that breaks, which is part number CP2124/01. The replacement is sold for the 1000 Series; however, it is identical to the one that comes with the 1100 Series.
Trimming Experiences
Since I purchased the Philips Bodygroom 1100, I have trimmed all of my pubic, groin, and family jewels areas twice. I also performed a full trim of my chest, underarms, and abdomen before writing up this review.
As hair in these areas takes a while to grow back, I am limited on the number of times I can use a body trimmer or shaver before reviewing it. However, I will be using the 1100 after this review in the near future, and if I have anything worth reporting, I will add it to this page.
It actually did not take long for me to gather my opinion on the 1100 at all, bar what I experienced with my balls.
Groin, Pubic Area, and Family Jewels
So, let’s discuss groin area grooming, as I am sure many of you guys want to know what this trimmer is like for our more private parts.
Groin, Pubic Area, and Family Jewels Trimming Ratings
The first time I used the 1100 in that area, it was fantastic. It handled the job with ease. The small head made it really maneuverable, and I was able to trim the scrotum and around the pubic area with no nicks or irritation. I started with the 3 mm guard to reduce the bulk, then went back over with the 0.5 mm for a closer finish. I was really pleased.
It took a little time to trim the scrotum, which is a fairly standard procedure for me, as it is a challenging area to trim and shave down below.
Unfortunately, my second attempt didn’t go quite as smoothly. I ended up with a few little nicks—enough to draw blood, which was a bit of a letdown after that first great experience.
I don’t know what changed; maybe the battery was running a bit low, or maybe I just got a bit careless (I dont think so!). Either way, I’ll be giving it another shot soon (with a fresh Duracell battery this time), and I’ll post an update on the website once I do.
If it weren’t for the nicks I got the second time I used it, based on my first experience, I would say it’s a great tool for all that area, including the balls.
Chest, Underarms & Abs
My expectations were low for trimming my chest as it is such a large area for a small trimmer.
Chest, Underarms & Abs Trimming Ratings
I was honestly surprised by how fast it worked. The 3mm trimmer comb was quicker than expected, and the 0.5 mm gave a pretty close finish—not quite razor-smooth, but close enough for a trimmer. I thought it might struggle with speed on larger areas like the chest, but it held its own pretty well.
That said, due to the narrow trimming head, it takes longer to cover large areas compared to wider-head trimmers. Still, for more detailed trimming and small areas, such as under the armpits, the smaller size works in its favor.
The hair on my abdomen is very fine, and the 1100 trimmer cleared that up in no time at all.
Value for Money
We can pick one of these up for around $20, £23, or €25, which is cheaper than any of the other body groomers in the Philips range.
Value for Money Ratings
I don’t think we can get a groomer any cheaper, except for the knockoff Amazon Chinese copies that take business from all the Western men’s grooming brands and stores.
Final Thoughts – Verdict (Worth Buying?)
So, would I recommend the Philips Bodygroom 1100?
For the price, absolutely—especially for someone just getting into body grooming or looking for an affordable backup tool.
It’s simple, lightweight, and surprisingly effective in most areas. It won’t replace my go-to for groin grooming (I still prefer the Manscaped Lawn Mower 3.0 Plus for that job), but at a third of the price, it’s hard to complain too much.
Just don’t expect premium features or a shave-level finish. The 1100 is a budget trimmer, and it acts like one in some ways—but in others, it genuinely overperforms.
If you want to shave (not just trim) larger areas and achieve results closer to the skin, consider the Philips Bodygroom 3000, 5000, or 7000.
If you’re curious or on a tight budget, it’s well worth a shot.
I’ll update this review if I gain any new insights after further use—especially trimming down below. So check back for updates!
