Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series Review
Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series
The Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series is the top model from a range of three body groomers. This model excels with its double-ended shaving and trimming ability, but you do need to use both the trimmer and shaver head to really make use of it.
Pros
The ability to operate the shaver and trimmer at opposite ends
It trims very well around smaller areas like the armpits and groin
4D head movement improves trimming to shaving over various contours
The device possesses ample power for its intended purpose
It offers good value for the money spent
Integrated trimmer settings and comb
Cons
It tends to pull longer hairs, occasionally
It will leave stubble, and it is not razor-close
It takes a long time to trim and shave larger areas like the chest
The shaving experience for the lower body region was unsatisfactory, while trimming was fine
It’s all about the ManScaping again in this review –and the star of the show is the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series.
The 7000 Series is the top offering from three body groomers that Philips has on the market. I have already covered the Bodygroom 3000 and Bodygroom 5000 and even compared them (Bodygroom 3000 Series vs 5000 Series).
I was expecting better results and features than the 3000 and 5000 Series, naturally –based on paying considerably more for the 7000 Series.
The double-ended trimmer and body shaver is a handy grooming tool that shaves as close as any electric device can for most parts of the body. It’s great it also trims. However, it does not get an all-out thumbs up –which you’ll see why further along in the review.
Model Numbers
Below are the model numbers available which are the same body groomers, with the main difference being the countries where they are sold.
- USA: BG7020/40 – BG7030/49 ** – BG7040/42 *
- CA: BG7025/15**
- Europe: BG7025/15**
- UK: BG7025/13**
*USA – The US models have some differences worth noting:
BG7020/40 – 2D – blue – 70 minutes cordless use -NimH battery
BG7030/49 – 4D – silver – 80 minutes cordless use – Lithium-ion battery – Travel Pouch
BG7040/42 – 4D – silver – 80 minutes cordless use – Lithium-ion battery – Replacement Shave Head – Travel Case
**USA, UK, EU, and CA models are identical. USA BG7040/42, the only difference is the travel case
In this review, I refer to all models apart from the BG7020/40.
In this manscaping product review, we will take a look at the all-important features of the Bodygroom 7000 Series, how it performs in terms of trimming and shaving, highlight the pros and cons, and, within the final thoughts –suggest who the body groomer is best suited for.
Video
The YouTube video I created for the Bodygroom might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out.
Description & Features
Philips states the Bodygroom 7000 Series can shave and trim anywhere below the neck and can do so comfortably.
Unboxed, we get the double-sided groomer, a plug and cord, a small brush, and a pouch (or travel case, depending on the model).
- Waterproof: The 7000 series is fully waterproof, and according to Philips, the groomer can be used in the shower.
- 4 D: The head pivots back and forth and left and right to enable the device to shave along various contours more easily.
- Shaver & Trimmer: The shaver head ‘cassette’ has a large foil section for shaving and two trimmer blades at the top and bottom for trimming. The other end has a trimmer with various settings.
- Trimmer Comb: The 7000 Series has one integrated comb attachment with 5 settings (3, 5, 7, 9, 11mm).
- Cordless: The rechargeable body groomer has a Li-ion battery that requires 1 hour for a complete charge, delivering 80 minutes of trimming and shaving functionality.
- LED Indicators: The simple indicator lights indicate when it is charging and when the charge is very low.
- Warranty: The standard warranty is for 2 years.
More About The Features — Pros and Cons
I will provide more details about the main functions and highlight their usefulness and advantages or disadvantages.
Double Ended – Shave & Trim
Having the shaver at one end and the trimmer on the other is a unique setup. The design works well, though!
Both ends have their own on and off buttons, which is useful. I sometimes forgot and thought I was shaving when I had the trimmer switched on.
Multitools for shaving and grooming never seem to work well for me because they usually do one job well and others insufficiently. However, the 7000 Series, because of its separate ends, is like having two separate devices, if that makes sense.
Shaving Head & Cassette
The ability of the head and cassette to move back and forth and slightly left or right is a welcomed feature over the 3000 and 5000 Series. The back-and-forth movement definitely made a difference while shaving, and it reduced the skin scratching (not completely) I get from the pre-trimmers when using the other Series.
The replacement cassette is the same as the 3000 and 5000 Series. I was expecting a different or even improved shaving foil cassette –I guess because the 7000 costs more. However, that’s not to say anything is wrong with the foil.
The cassette contains a large foil surface and two trimming blades on each side –top and bottom. Compared to an electric shaver designed for facial shaving, the foil element is larger, which is logical given its requirement to shave a larger body surface area.
Trimmer Head & Integrated Comb
I love the integrated attachment comb design that enables one comb to be used on the 5 settings. Being built into the head makes things easier, although it can be detached when needed, and the trimmer can be used without a comb.
The longest is 11mm, and the shortest is 3mm, ideal for longer and shorter cuts.
My only real gripe is the small width of the trimmer head and blades. It’s not the best when trimming larger areas like the chest or legs, but it trims smaller areas like the armpits and the groin very well.
Build Quality & Ergonomics
The ergonomics are quite good, and the shape works well when using either end of the device. It’s not perfect, and shaving some angles was tricky, but that is hard to avoid with most body groomers.
The two rubberized sections are placed well for grip when using either end.
The build is all plastic, even though the silver body looks like it is a thin metal. It is sold enough, but a metal casing would be a solid feature.
The body groomer is fully waterproof and can be used in the shower. I never use body groomers in the shower, but the option is there if it works for you.
Charging & Battery
The Bodygroom 7000 charging time of one hour and its ability to provide 80 minutes of body grooming time is ideal. It meets the standard expected from a reliable shaving and grooming device and offers more runtime than many others.
As I trimmed and shaved a heck of a lot of body hair and areas with the 7000 Series, the runtime was important. I have used it for about an hour on one occasion, and the battery warning light did not come on.
Cleaning & Maintenance
To clean the body groomer, users only need to run warm tap water over the head after using it. Additionally, it is easy to take off the cassette for cleaning.
Philips states no oil is required for maintenance. However, I like to use a small amount of antibacterial hand soap on shaver cassettes and apply a small amount of oil after every 2nd or 3rd use. I believe this keeps the foils and blades in optimal condition.
The replacement cassette should be changed roughly every 12 months, depending on how frequently a person uses the groomer. It clips in and out of the shaver head section easily for replacement.
Note: The trimmer section clogs up quite often while trimming. If you slide the button on the settings section and blow, it soon gets cleared.
How Does the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series Perform and Shave?
It had been six weeks since the last body grooming session with a new groomer. I had just gotten enough jungle growth to put the 7000 Series through its paces on various bodily areas.
I used the trimmer and shaver from the neck down -and it all got to experience some kind of hair removal. I even completed a leg trim for you ShavingAdvisor readers, which was a first for me.
Starting with the chest!
Chest Trimming and Shaving
Trimming took a lot longer than I would have liked. There is a lot of area for me to cover on the chest, though.
The slim cutter design of the 7000 Series while shaving the chest is a disadvantage. When I compare this to trimming with other wider cutter trimmers, especially the Remington HC4250 (ShortCut Pro/QuickCut) –it just takes so long to trim the larger chest area.
I tried various trimmer settings and then without the comb attached. Even though it took some time, I could get a good 6mm trim; however, the trimmer without a comb scratched my skin a lot.
The shaver head does get the shaving of the chest job done. Again, it takes quite long to cover such a large area. Many areas shaved nearly as close as a razor, but some stubble areas were left, and to keep shaving to get rid of all of them would take too long while also irritating my skin.
Bottom line: The trimmer cutters are too slim, and the shaver takes a bit long to shave while leaving a lot of stubble patches. A razor is much quicker and closer.
Armpits
Trimming the armpits and shaving are both a breeze. I get a quick and close enough armpit shave. The 7000 Series, like other body groomers, prefer these smaller areas.
Bottom line: Great, no complaints.
Pubic Area & Family Jewels
I still fear grooming these areas, especially exposing my sack to a shaver. However, for the sake of you guys, I always give it a go.
In this manscaping session, I aimed for a few millimeters of pubic area and hair-free family jewels.
The 5mm pubic hair and groin were very easy, and the small width of the cutters enabled me to navigate around the groin section perfectly. However, the trimmer without a comb and the shaver drew blood and pulled hair-so the rest of the gonad shaving game was called off, and out came the Gillette SkinGuard.
Using trimmers close to the family jewels’ skin and shaver foils has never been a good choice of shaving tool for me, but I guess I hoped the 7000 Series would be different.
Bottom line: Great for trimming all this area and ideal for around the groin. However, trimming without a comb or shaving the gonads can pull hairs, cut, or both.
Leg Trimming
This was my first time doing a leg trim, and it went well with the 7000 Series. I had the same issue with the chest area -the cutters are slim and take a long time to trim.
I never shave my legs, but if I wanted to, it would take a long time with this body groomer.
Bottom line: The 7000 Series will shave and trim legs. However, it will take time to go over all the large areas.
Value for Money?
The Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 Series cost more than the 3000 and 5000 Series, which is to be expected. However, other brands charge more for an inferior product, so it’s priced fairly, I reckon.
Cost: $69.99 US, UK – £79.00, and EU – €69.49
Replacement foils: The recommended interval for replacing the foils, either TT2000 (US + EU) or BG2000 (US), is approximately every 12 months. These foils cost around $15 (£15 – €15), making it a reasonable annual cost.
Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?
The double-ended body groomer has a great design, and the ability to shave and trim with the same device is pretty cool. However, as you can see, my biggest complaints were the slim trimmer cutter design on large areas and the length of time it takes to trim and shave.
The 7000 Series is worth considering if you are sure you will use both the trimmer and shaver ends and can deal with patiently trimming or shaving larger areas. If you don’t need the trimmer and its settings, you could save money and check out the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 5000 Series.
An alternative that is great for trimming (not shaving) larger areas is the Remington HC4250. While it’s marketed as hair clippers, they make a very good body trimmer.
