Philips Norelco 8140XL SpeedXL Men's Shaver
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List Price: Our Price: $88.99 You Save: $51.00 (36%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Philips Norelco 8140XL SpeedXL Men's Shaver
Customer Review: My time spent shaving is now reduced and my skin is less iritated.
Summary: 4 Stars
Having used my Norelco 8140XL SpeedXL daily for a little over a month now, I think it is a pretty good electric razor. The large cutting area cuts hairs effectively and efficiently. I have owned low-end Norelco models in the past--ones with smaller cutting areas--and have to say that this model is worth the extra $30 or $40 that you would pay for a lower end model. The large cutting area means that I don't have to shave the same place over and over again. With my previous models, I often had to run the razor over the same area numerous times, often applying a good deal of force to the razor. I don't have to do this anymore. My time spent shaving is now reduced and my skin is less iritated. Customer Review: I have to shave twice a day with it to avoid the 5 o'clock shadow.
Summary: 3 Stars
Sorry, this razor just does not shave close enough. I have to shave twice a day with it to avoid the 5 o'clock shadow. My 1998 Remington still shaves closer (I've replaced the blade a few times), but the battery is long dead and only works if plugged in; hence the new purchase.
The rinse feature is outstanding. It is quiet...but to me this seems as a result of it being underpowered. For example, the trimmer is nearly useless...I have to use the Remington for trimming.
Wish I could have tried before I bought...I will next time.
Customer Review: The clipper is quieter and nick free...
Summary: 5 Stars
I used a Norelco Quadra 6865XL for several years. It took 30 to 40 days before the razor (or my skin) adjusted to give a good shave. The Speed XL takes longer.
I tried a Spectra. Was as good as the Quadra. However, the plastic cap would not stay in place. And the shaver head detached and flew off when I pushed the release button. The Quadra was worse -- the cutters would drop out during cleaning. Speed XL does not suffer from either problem. The plastic cap fits very well. And the cutters stay firmly in place. The motor is very quiet and, initially, I felt the blades were too slow. Be patient, the shaver works very well.
I have an average beard and it took 15+ minutes for a good shave. It dropped to 10 mintes in 4+ weeks and now, at 3+ months, it takes 7 minutes. The shave is particularly close on the chin (despite a cleft) and moustache. The clipper is quieter and nick free, compared with the Quadra.
The design of the carrying case is brilliant. I wish I had done it. Small and perfect for inter-continental trips, as it packs easily into a briefcase.
The charging stand takes too much space in the bathroom. I plug the wall wart into the shaver when needed; improves battery life and is eco-friendly, as the charger is unplugged between charges.
Customer Review: Anyway...
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always used razors, as I like a very close cut. I've tried once in the past an electric shaver and since I had left my beard grow 1/8 of an inch or so, it didn't cut a thing and I never looked back. I got a Braun portable as a gift and I tried it with just a 1 day beard and it worked (never as close as a razor, forget about electric if that's what you want, don't care what anybody tells you, it's not even close) but it was good enough that I could go to work without looking like I have not shaved.
I did some research and this Norelco came on top (second best was another Braun, but it had a washing system with a liquid that you have to replace once a month and that was a deal breaker for me). I've tried it twice now and is very similar to my Braun portable, that is, just good enough.
Instructions say to use only this shaver (don't mix with razors) so that the machine gets "used" to your beard...which sounds like a lot of crock (don't see any A.I. chip buried in the machine) but will humour the manufacturer. Anyway, my main reason to get it is that some times after shaving with a razor often my skin does get irritated and some times in the morning I'm not feeling like doing that to my face. The other nice thing is that on a Saturday afternoon if I decide to go out, I can just touch up with the electric instead of having to wash my face, apply shaving cream, and maybe getting my shirt wet in the process...much simpler with this thing.
But it really depends on your beard I guess, I have a not very dense beard, which grows parallel to the skin (specially around the cheeks) and so it is difficult for electric razors to do a great job. Around my chin for example, where hair grows more perpendicular is where I get the best shaving (also, it's the most dense there, so it is were the razor hurts the most!).
But if you are on a budget and $80 is a lot for you, don't buy it, it is not worth it, if you are just itching to buy a new gadget though, I would recommend this.
Hope this is useful.
Customer Review: Great razor overall.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first new razor in several years, so it's basically being compared to a 7+ year-old Norelco. Also, I have never shaved using traditional blades, so I can't compare it with that experience. With this said...
Pros: There's a lot I like about this razor. It gives a really close shave. Much closer than I've gotten from previous electrics. It still could be a little closer, though, but not by much. It's cordless, which is very convenient, and the charge seems to last quite a long time. So far, one charge seems to last about 4 weeks for me, with shaving every day for about 3 minutes or so. Pretty good. It also is very ergonomically designed -- very comfortable to hold. I like that it is so quick to charge -- only takes about one hour. You also have the option of cleaning it with either water, or with an included brush. The water does a great job of cleaning out all the little hairs. I still worry about getting it wet too frequently, though, so I usually clean it with the brush and just clean it with water about once a month.
Cons: The biggest con is that while there are "charging" and "done charging" LEDs on the razor, there is no "Battery Low" LED. This means you only know when the battery is dead when it dies while you are shaving. Once you've gone though a couple charge cycles you will learn about how long it goes between charges, but nonetheless it'd be nice to have a warning. It's really only because of this that I knocked off one star. But one other con is that the power adapter is somewhat large, as opposed to older Norelcos, so if you choose to use it as a corded razor, it might be inconvenient to store the adapter near the razor if you keep in, for example, a medicine cabinet.
Other thoughts: Worth noting that you don't need to use the included stand if you don't want to -- the cord can plug directly into the razor for charging. Also, it can operate as either a cordless or corded razor, although the manual warns that using it as a corded razor too often will hurt the battery, so you pretty much have to choose one or the other. Comes with a very small travel pouch, head protector, and brush. Great razor overall. Only knocked it one star because there's no Battery Empty LED... some other Norelcos have this feature, but many of them are more expensive than this one. This is a great value for the money.