Excellent, as expected, but only a basic battery/mains shaver., 20 Aug. 2014

This HQ6986 is my fifth Philips shaver. It is the basic battery/mains model with the three floating single-track heads and no pop-up trimmer. The battery life is good, typically lasting for two or three weeks of daily shaves between charges. It is quiet and comfortable and does not irritate my skin. Typically a good close shave with it takes me about 90 seconds, but based on past experience I expect this time will lengthen as the cutters wear down.

Previously when very young I had tried and rejected Ronson, Braun, and two Remingtons, each of those four after just a few months, for various reasons including the very short life of the very expensive heads, high levels of skin irritation, and being mains only. But most of the next forty years with assorted Philips rotary shavers proved to be comfortable with consistently good shaves.

The first (a twin head battery-only) and second (battery/mains 890) Philishaves each lasted about twenty years, one after the...

This review is from: Philips Shaver Series 3000 with CloseCut Blades and Flexing Heads HQ6986/16 (Personal Care)

A basic, no-frills rotary shaver, 20 Aug. 2014

A basic, almost entry level shaver featuring Philips three-head design that offers mains and cordless functionality. It does not have the almost obligatory but sometimes unused sideburn/moustache/beard trimmer. It also uses Philips CloseCut blades for a slightly closer shave.

As a rechargeable shaver, it needs a routine 1-hour charge for about 35 minutes of usage time - about enough for 10-14 days - but not a fast charge option. As this shaver is mains-usable (when most of their other shavers are not), it does not need a fast-charge facility.

As a lower-priced shaver, a travel pouch is not included but a toilet bag would make a good alternative and provide storage for shaving cream, pre-shave etc. although it would be an extra expense. In terms of its results, it appears to deliver what is promised - a closer shave but the differences from using other similar products is not dramatic. If you know that a rotary shaver works for you and you need to replace one,...

This review is from: Philips Shaver Series 3000 with CloseCut Blades and Flexing Heads HQ6986/16 (Personal Care)

Good value if basic shaver, performs well at the essentials and for relatively little money, 27 Aug. 2014

Definitely a decent enough battery/electric razor for the money.

That's what I reckon will be the unique selling point of this razor. It's extremely good value for money. It lacks in one respect that it doesn't have a sideburns trimmer but at the same time has extremely effective, self-sharpening rotary heads. So it's something of a compromise device which Philips is pitching at the lower end of the market and offering quite a nice package at the same time.

Open the box and you get the razor plus a mains charging lead and cleaning brush. Opening the head to clean it is simple enough with a button to click open the detachable top. Recharging times are brisk and battery life seems more than adequate. Ergonomics are decent enough too, it feels comfortable to hold during use. The shaver can be used in battery mode or from a two-pin mains outlet found in hotels and other places.

And that's where I could see this being useful. It isn't hugely expensive and...

This review is from: Philips Shaver Series 3000 with CloseCut Blades and Flexing Heads HQ6986/16 (Personal Care)