smoke0845's Full Review: Philips SmartTouch 9160XL Electric Shaver
I wanted to have this shaver ever since I I saw the commercial for it during a Super Bowl XL advertising break.
There were more commercials for it on the NFL Network and knew the features by heart.
For my 23rd birthday back in June, my mother bought me this shaver and I've been a happy camper since then. This is the 3rd electric rotary shaver I owned, my previous models were a Black Panasonic and a Philips Norelco Cool Skin which dispensed lotion. My brother took the Panasonic to the Burning Man festival and lost it. I gave up on the Cool Skin after my brother used it to shave off his 1/4 inch beard. I forgive him though. He's a good guy.
The 9160 XL is a dry shaver, in other words, it doesn't dispense lotion.
With the Cool Skin not shaving for 3 days and then shaving was do-able because of the lotion dispenser, but given that the 9160 XL is a dry shaver going 3 days without shaving was out of the question. I had shaved everyday in the past with hand razors. I started shaving everyday with the 9160 XL. And Because of this model in particular I like shaving everyday! here's why:
Three rings in each shaving head
This is one of two things that sold me on the 9160 XL. Having three rings is great. Each head having two extra rings make them twice the size of an average shaver and hence 50% more shaving surface! Also the rings aren't the same as the rings of the Cool Skin which have only one per head - The two larger rings have dashes to cut long hairs and small holes section pattern to cut short hairs. The smallest ring is devoted entirely to a small holes pattern.
It pivots
The other reason I wanted this product. This makes shaving the front of your neck easier.
Battery Level, rinsing clean, and needs Replacement heads, indicators
The Battery level is shown by a five LED display, the replacement head symbol blinks when it's time for them, and the clean inside the shaver symbol blinks when the shaver needs to be cleaned. It rinses clean, to do that you flip the head assembly up and run hot-but not scalding-water over the hair chamber, and over the the top and bottom of each shaving head. Then shake water out of the hair chamber, wipe the water off the plastic and rubber part of the unit and let it air dry with the head assembly open.
Battery charge lasts a long time
For first time use the 9160 XL needs a 4 hour charge. After that a 45 minute charge lasts 90 minutes. You can use the 9160XL Corded, I haven't. I Recommend charging using the supplied stand which a cord plugs into, and only doing it when shaver's the bottom battery light is red. Also be sure to be present right after the 45 minute charge ends, because if the shaver sits on the charging stand plugged in while full of battery power, this can reduce the life of the batteries.
Performance
The 9160XL gives a very close shave. The floating heads align to the section of your face being shaved. I shave daily with it and the results are good. It cuts down stubble quickly. The built-in trimmer works great on trimming hair closer to my eyes. I love the charging stand. It has a back low-rise to keep she shaver in place while charging. There's also a clock built-in that needs a seperate battery to run. The trimmer can be cleaned with a tiny brush included with the unit. Two of the best bonuses I like about the 9160 XL is the pouch and protective head cover it comes with. These two things make the unit very portable. Also the pouch doubles as a great place to keep the shaver after it dries.
I used to to hate the thought of shaving everyday, but since I've been using the 9160XL, I look forward to and love to do it. I've abandoned hand razors. I've gotten them completely out of my house.
I don't like the mess of the cream getting in your hair, and the danger of going over your face with an exposed razor, I've cut myself many times.
Maintenance
The Shaving heads need to be replaced with Speed-XL heads once a year or whenever the replacement head symbol starts blinking.
Price/Availability
You can buy the 9160XL used and pay under a hundred dollars. My mother paid $137.99 for mine's new at Target. This shaver is also available for a higher price at Sears, I don't know how much it costs at Wal-Mart, Walgreen's sells it and many online-only stores do too. Some higher or lower-priced than what my mother paid.
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver Factory refurbished by Norelco with full warranty. It is guaranteed to look and work as good as a new unit ...More at Amazon Marketplace
Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver The world's only rotary razor that pivots and flexes to ensure constant contact with your face Up to 50 perc...More at Amazon
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