Product test
Philips OneBlade Intimate: sharp cutting - but not into the skin, please
by Lorenz Keller
All-in-one trimmer – testing two Philips multigroomers
29/11/2023
Translation: Eva Francis
I tested two Philips beard trimmers: the upper mid-range model, MG7940/15 from the 7000 series and the top-of-the-range model, MG9553/15, from the 9000 series.
I’ve decided to put an end to this and have tested two beard trimmers: the Philips 15-in-1 Trimmer Series 7000 MG7940/15 and the Philips 20-in-1 Trimmer Series 9000 MG9553/15. They’re quite similar. However, the MG9553/15 is higher-quality, comes with more attachments and a OneBlade. I’ve taken a closer look at both devices, including their scope of delivery, and rated them in the categories shaving, convenience and battery.
Scope of delivery
One thing’s misleading to start with: the devices are advertised as 15-in-1 and 20-in-1 trimmers. To me, this isn’t correct. In both cases, the appliances themselves (trimmer and OneBlade) are ascribed a function they don’t fulfil on their own, i.e. without attachments. The way I see it, the MG7940/15 has 14 attachments and functions and the MG9553/15 offers 18.
MG9553/15: two appliances and 18 attachments
Here’s an overview of all trimmer attachments:
- four wide combs at four, nine, twelve and 16 mm
- two combs for side trimming
- an eyebrow comb
- two medium-width combs at three and five mm
- four adjustable combs with 1.0 to 3.0 mm (in 0.2 mm steps), three to seven mm (in 1 mm steps) nine to 13 mm (in 1 mm steps), 16 to 20 mm (in 1 mm steps)
The scope of delivery also includes a storage pouch, a USB-A cable and a cleaning brush. The cleaning brush fulfils its purpose, but I find the bristles a bit too soft. They give way quickly when cleaning.
MG7940/15: less choice, but a special attachment
The MG7940/15 lacks the comb attachments for side trimming, the medium-width comb at five mm and an adjustable comb (from 16 to 20 mm). On top of that, there’s no OneBlade. It does, however, feature an attachment for nose and ear hair.
The trimming experience – good marks for both
The MG7940/15 has a total of 22 length settings from 0.5 to 16 mm in 0.2 mm steps. The top model MG9553/15 even offers 27 length settings from 0.2 to 20 mm.
Both trimmers are waterproof. This doesn’t only mean you can use them in the shower, but also clean the devices themselves and all attachments easily. What’s also handy is that both trimmers notify you when the battery is low. One minus point for me, however, is that neither of them work while they’re charging.
Battery – more than enough runtime
Both trimmers are said to have a battery life of up to 120 minutes. I tested this by leaving the 9000 series trimmer on as long as it would go. It ran out of battery after 132 minutes. A good result, if you ask me. According to the manufacturer, the charging time is 60 minutes; fast charging is possible in five minutes. Both trimmers are equipped with a charging cable with a USB-A connection, but without an adapter.
The battery life of the One Blade is specified as up to 30 minutes. In my test, it lasted exactly 90 minutes. However, it takes eight hours to fully charge.
My verdict
For years, I made do with an old, rather bad razor. Not any more. The two Philips trimmers have won me over. I was particularly impressed by the 20-in-1 trimmer MG9553/15 from the 9000 series with the additional OneBlade. It makes trimming and shaving convenient, quick and easy. I’ve never been able to get the edges and lines on my beard as precise as with the OneBlade. And in my opinion, the result is impressive. At least I like it, and that’s the main thing.
Header image: Kim Muntinga
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.
