If Apple did razors, they’d be designed like this
16/9/2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Lorenz Keller
With their elegant aluminium housing, Laifen’s new razors are certainly attention-grabbing. But how well do these beauties cut beard hair? In a bid to find out, I gave them a try.
Lai…who? This Hong Kong-based company only came on the scene in 2019. It specialises in brushless motors, some of which feature in hairdryers. These have proved to be a big hit, impressing in Galaxus’s hands-on reviews.
Laifen’s now gradually expanding its product portfolio with devices requiring small, fast motors. Having already added electric toothbrushes to its range, the company’s released two new shavers, the T1 Pro and the P3 Pro.
Laifen T1 Pro: elegant, but not that powerful
Using the Laifen T1 Pro is quite a visual, tactile experience. Its housing is slim, elegantly curved and made entirely of milled aluminium. This reminds me of the era when smartphone manufacturers such as HTC built unibody housings, but it’s also reminiscent of various Apple-designed products.
The T1 doesn’t just look good – it feels good too. The cold metal is nice to hold, and I can grip the razor firmly. I’m all set for my first shave.
Unfortunately, disillusionment immediately sets in when it takes me far too long to get rid of a reasonable amount of stubble. No matter what part of my face I’m shaving, it takes several strokes to get the skin smooth. There’s an obvious reason for this, namely that the T1 only has one blade. When it comes to shaving thick facial hair daily, this literally doesn’t cut it.
On the other hand, the T1 isn’t actually intended for thick beard hair – something you should be aware of before you buy. The razor’s designed for light beard growth, so it’s ideal if you just do a minor trim every few days or if you let some facial hair grow and only shave small areas.
The Laifen T1 Pro also comes with three trimming attachments, which cut hair to lengths of two, three or five millimetres. Again, the thicker the hair, the more difficult it is to trim. I decide to give one of the attachments a try on my head hair. Granted, I don’t have much of that. But in the areas I do have hair, I don’t have any bother cutting it to the length I want. However, at my temples, where my hair’s almost as thick as it was when I was younger, it takes another four or five strokes to trim it properly.
Thanks to its compact design and light weight of just 93 grammes, you can take the Laifen T1 wherever you go. A special flight button locks the shaver so that it doesn’t accidentally switch itself on in your suitcase. It’s charged via USB-C, with the battery lasting around two hours. Some features that I think look really elegant are the protective cover, which reminds me of an Airpods Max case, and the aluminium stand. However, you have to buy both of these things separately.
Replacement razor heads are available too. To top things off, these heads are attached to the shaver’s handle using magnets. This completely takes the hassle out of removing and cleaning them. Once you’ve done that, they’re easy to reattach.
Laifen P3 Pro: small and mighty
The second razor is designed like a traditional travel razor, but just a little more elegant. Like the T1, the P3 Pro’s dominant feature is its aluminium housing. Tipping the scales at 186 grammes, it’s slightly heavier than expected. Mind you, it is a block of solid metal.
The little window giving you a peep at the electric motor coils is a real attention-grabber. The razor has three blades, cuts really well and manages to cope with my thicker beard growth. Since the razor head adapts beautifully to the contours, it keeps skin irritation to a minimum.
Of course, some razors out there give you a gentler, more thorough shave. The thing is, they’re either larger or pricier. For a price of 220 francs or euros, the P3 Pro gives you a decent enough result. Some competitor shavers are even more expensive.
The razor’s design makes it ideal for both short and long trips. Like on the T1, the P3 Pro’s razor heads are attached magnetically. I find this solution pretty nifty and convenient, as I give my razor a quick clean after every shave. In other words, seeing as I take off the razor head every day, I’m pleased there’s a simple mechanism behind it.
The P3 Pro reaches a speed of 12,000 cuts per minute. However, if I’m being honest, neither that figure nor the detailed technical descriptions in the press pack count for much in my view. Sure, it’s nice to know that the manufacturer’s putting a lot of engineering expertise into developing small, efficient motors. But at the end of the day, it’s what it does to my face that matters.
The razor delivers a good shave overall, but it’s not outstanding. On the bright side, the motor supposedly lasts 500 hours. So if you shave for five minutes a day, it’ll hold out for over 16 years.
Can these razors do more than just look good?
Laifen’s chosen two niche routes for its entry into the razor market. I can’t fully recommend either of these shavers for everyone. With both models, you pay a premium for the elegant design, high-quality materials and first-class build quality. Though anything but cheap, the high price tag might be worthwhile if the razors suit your personal preferences.
The Laifen T1 Pro’s good for light beard growth, smaller areas and occasional shaving. Meanwhile, the P3 Pro’s ideal as a travel razor. Generally speaking, both shavers fare well in all of those scenarios. For intensive, daily shaving, however, I’d recommend opting for a good razor from Philips, Braun or another established brand. Or alternatively, try wet shaving.
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
Guide
Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.
Show allThese articles might also interest you
7 comments
later