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Philips Norelco 6100 Review: A Shaver with Decent Performance and Price

Entry-Level shavers are generally aimed at beginners and these things deliver the performance all of us would expect from the devices. Every little brand has Phillips is no different by nature.

However, we, as shaving enthusiasts demand something extra from these devices. At the same time, we don’t really want to spend the kind of money high-end shaving machines require. Shaving brands know that as well. That’s why we have Phillips Norelco 6100.

This little shaver is the bridge between Norelco’s beginner-friendly, entry-level shavers and high-end ones. If you find similarities with Sensotouch2D of the same brand, I don’t blame you. Guys at Phillips rebranded the product with small tweaks and adjustments.

In terms of packaging, everything remains the same.

However, after testing it out for quite some time, I’ve found the experience to be satisfactory and decent. This is what we’re going to talk about in my rather small (compared to some of the other articles) review of the product. Without babbling too much, let’s get on with it.

What I Found Inside the Package

They say “looks can be deceiving” but never with a Philips product. Call me arrogant or biased, it is what it is. The Norelco 6100 for example, has a stylish blue color with black accents – a color combination that can be deemed manly yet not very gender defining.

Unboxing Philips Norelco 1150X/46 Shaver 6100

The lower body is shaped ergonomically to fit well in to your grip. Trust me when I say, “Size (of your hands) doesn’t matter.” It’s equally comfortable for large hands as it is for smaller hands.

You can use this shaver for both dry and wet shaves in the shower as it has a non-slip grip. There are rubber ridges placed along the edge to ensure a firmer hold, especially when using it in wet condition. It has a durable plastic body which has the necessary impact resistance.

Let me clarify that it can still break if it falls from a height that is higher than 2 feet. Don’t expect the hard-plastic body to be invincible.

Looking at the bright side, it’s also travel-friendly; the compact size allows you to carry it anywhere.

It doesn’t come with a travel pouch, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. The shaver doesn’t take a lot of space. You can easily tuck it in your bag. Remember to take the charging stand as the shaver isn’t equipped with a travel adapter either.

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This Thing Doesn’t Miss a Hair

When you first look at the shaver head of the Philips Norelco 6100, it seems simple enough. But underneath this simplicity lies a lot of intricacies that makes sure that every strand of facial hair is trimmed and cut. Going through all the elements in details would be time consuming.

This Thing Doesn’t Miss a Hair

I’ll gloss over each of them and their technical aspects in a jiffy. Don’t worry, I won’t keep things cryptic.

First, let’s tell you about the Gyroflex 2D Contour Following System. Just as the name suggests, this system helps the Norelco 6100 to conform to the shape of our faces.

This is really a lifesaver when it comes to shaving under the chin or along the jawline. You won’t need to apply pressure to force the device to cut or trim hair in those areas.

Then comes the low friction SkinGlide shaving surface. This is an interesting addition to series 6 shavers that Phillips brought out. This thing is designed to let the shaver glide smoothly over your skin. This helps to minimize friction which further minimizes any chance of irritation.

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With the “Lift and Cut” technology, this shaver will cut even the flat lying hairs which you always tend to miss while shaving.

Wait, there’s more! The Norelco 6100 is made to provide you with precision cuts and trims.

It’s got Dual Precision Heads. That is, “There are both slots and holes.” The slots help cut normal hair and the holes cut the shortest of stubbles. Along with all these, there is also a Precision Trimmer with which you can take care of your mustaches and sideburns.

Feel Free to Use it for Wet and Dry Shaving

Feel Free to Use it for Wet and Dry Shaving

Okay, I’ll be honest with you here. Many of us don’t opt for an electric shaver because we would miss out on the comfort of the shaving gel/foam. But with the Norelco 6100, you will not miss out on any kind of action. Whether it’s in the shower (with limitations) or during dry shaving, use it with no issues.

People already know how shavers in case of dry shaving work. So, let’s get to Phillips 6100 and wet shaving for now. Keep in mind, when I say “Wet,” I don’t mean “Drenching” wet. Wet use means that the shaver can be used with shaving gel and foam while you put the shower water to a bearable limit.

This Philips shaver is equipped with AquaTec Seal. The seal protects the inner parts from water damage. You can use any kind of shaving foam or gel without worrying about the shaver as long as you are careful. The shaver is not completely waterproof and so don’t go immersing in a bucket of water.

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Cleaning this Thing is a Breeze

For any kind of grooming device, one must always invest some time in proper cleaning. Adequate maintenance of the device doesn’t only ensure cleanliness but also the shaver’s long life. I know, “Maintenance” sounds like a hassle but it’s not the case with the 6100 model.

Don’t worry, it does not take much to clean the Philips Norelco 6100. Just press the three sides of the shaver head and it comes off. A brush is included with the shaver with which you can clean the housing and the top plate. Do not run the housing under water. Rather, brush it when it’s dry.

However, you can use running water to clean the top plates. Just make sure they have dried properly before you put it back on the housing.

It is recommended by shaver experts and enthusiasts that we clean the products we own every time after using it. The device is designed to collect shortest of hair follicles there are. As a result, it doesn’t cause a mess in the sink or on the floor. And that is why it is necessary to clean it regularly.

Of course, nothing lasts forever. If you want to keep using the Norelco 6100 for a very long time, you will need to replace the shaver head eventually. It is best to replace the head after a year of (almost) daily use. In fact, there’s an indicator that will notify you when you have to change the shaver head.

Don’t worry. RQ11/52 replacement heads are readily available. I had to buy them separately. This is not a big deal since the price is quite affordable as well.

Let’s Not Forget the Battery

In case of any electric shaver, the most important part is the battery. Yes, it is more important than the blades I talked about. The Philips Norelco 6100 uses a Lithium Ion battery.

Li-ion batteries are something you can always rely on and they go a long way. There have been cases when the battery lasts longer than the device itself.

The Norelco 6100 takes almost an hour to get fully charged. After that, you can use it for up to 40 minutes. That is, you can use it for a thorough shave at least twice.

To save time, so to speak, you should fully charge it every time after you’ve used it. This way, you will have the shaver ready to go for your next shave and you will not be in any hurry to charge it.

This shaver has a “Two Level” battery display. One of them shows up when the battery is fully charged and the other shows a low-battery warning to remind you when to put it on charge again.

Another life-saver title worthy feature of this Norelco 6100 is the Quick Charge option.

When you are in hurry or you simply don’t feel like waiting an hour, you can use it to charge the shaver enough for a full shave in just 3 minutes. Moreover, it’s designed with Worldwide Voltage Support that ranges from 100-240v.

Your Constant Travel Partner

Your Constant Travel Partner

Some of us prefer to carry our own grooming kit and others prefer to do it in local barbershops. If you are the first kind, you should definitely get the Norelco 6100. This is a very travel-friendly shaver and will never fall short of your expectations.

From the features I pointed out earlier, you should be able to guess why I’m putting it this way. This is a very compact device and does not require a lot of tinkering. You can literally stuff it anywhere in your bag and go wherever you have to go.

It does not come with a travel pouch, as I already mentioned, but it should not be an issue as it has got a Travel Lock feature. If you press and hold the power button for 3 seconds the travel lock is activated.

There is a Travel Lock activation indicator as well. This lights up showing that the lock is in place. And since it can be plugged into any power socket in the world, you don’t even have to worry about an adaptor.

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What you will like

  • You will be able to shave under the chin and along the jaw line easily.
  • Low friction shaving surface helps to reduce skin irritation.
  • Flat lying and very short facial hair can be cut smoothly. You can also maintain your mustache and sideburns
  • The battery can be charged enough in 3 minutes for a full shave.
  • Travel Lock keeps the shaver from getting accidentally switched on.

What you may not like

  • As a rotary shaver it may not feel like the most comfortable one.
  • There is no travel pouch included.
  • The Precision Trimmer included is a clip-on one, not an integrated one. You need to attach the trimmer instead of pushing a switch.
  • I didn’t find any LED battery percentage indicator.
  • The shaver does not come with a charging adaptor. It can only be charged with the charging stand.

Before I Finish It Up

In this Philips Norelco 6100 Review I’ve tried to put together all that we know about the product. Upon receiving, you will find the following in the box: 6100 Shaver, Protective Cap, Click-On Precision Trimmer Head, a Cleaning Brush Charging Stand and Power Cord.

As I said, previously this product was named SensoTouch 2D 1150X/40. In case somebody told you to look for a shaver with that name, you should take the rebranded Norelco 1150X/46 6100. The core product is the same.

Sure, the Norelco 6100 is lagging behind in certain areas. It’s way ahead in others. Machines aren’t perfect after all. I liked the performance I get from using the device. Along with that, comes the guarantee of a trusted brand.

The Norelco 6100 is mainly a shaver, and the Precision Trimmer that is included is a Clip-On style one. That is, it does not offer beard grooming facilities. Philips has not included any beard trimming attachment to keep this shaver in an affordable price range.

This is suitable for all those who are not looking for anything fancy but just want a product that will do all that it is made to do. If you want something better, simply get SensoTouch 3D.

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