Both Gillette and Schick offer a great variety of razors featuring pivoting cartridges. The Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide is famous for its superior engineering and innovative design. On the other hand, Schick Hydro 5 is one of those few razors that gave me a fairly close shave without nicking my skin or causing razor bumps.
So, between Gillette vs Schick- which razor should you choose? Which razor has better features? Which one offers a complete bang for the buck? In this article, I will compare the best and worst features of both models.
But before I get to the comparison part, read the in-depth reviews of these two amazing razors. This will make it easier to understand the similarities and differences between both.
Table of Contents
Gillette vs Schick: In Depth Comparison Table
| Features | Gillette | Schick |
|---|---|---|
| Precision Trimmer | Yes | Yes |
| Blades | 5 | 5 |
| Refills | 2 | 2 |
| Low Friction Coating | Yes | No |
| Lubrastrip | Yes | Yes |
| FlexBall | Yes | No |
| Cooling | No | No |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Men’s Razor
Overview
Fusion5 ProGlide is one of the newest additions to join the “Fusion” line. It is an upgraded version of the older Fusion models.
Fusion5 ProGlide razor handle comes with FlexBall technology. It is simply a movable ball on the top of the handle that helps the blades move up/down and left/right. The razor head features 5 ultra thin and ultra sharp blades placed parallel to each other. Due to this, you can shave even a month old thick and scruffy beard with minimal effort.
There’s also a built-in precision trimmer to help you finish off your grooming with style and precision. It’s fast, it’s smooth and despite featuring extra sharp blades, it goes gentle on the skin.
That’s Fusion5 ProGlide in a nutshell. But before making a serious investment like this, you should learn as many details as possible to form an informed decision.
So here goes an in-depth analysis of Fusion5’s key features. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it short.
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Key Features- Explained!
Blades
Gillette ProGlide cartridges are known for their incredible sharpness and accuracy. If all you want is a nice and close shave with minimal passes, ProGlide will give you that. There are 5 blades in parallel position on the shaver head. The blades are cut super thin and placed very close to each other. Therefore, you won’t feel any blade tension on your skin while shaving.
The blades also have low-friction coating which minimizes tugging and pulling, no matter how long or thick your beard is. Another great thing is that the blades don’t clog up unlike the cartridges used in older models.
Due to the thinness and placement of the blades, you can shave off maximum hair with each pass. The blades also have Lubrastrip on them. The strips have moisturizer and mineral oils on them to help the blades glide smoothly over your facial contours.
FlexBall Technology
I have to say that this is the soul of Fusion5 ProGlide. Thanks to this, the blade can easily adapt to the different contours of your face. The transition from my chin to jawbones and finally to the neck area is incredibly smooth.
It keeps the razor constantly moving in every direction, thus allowing better contact with the skin. That way, you don’t have to shave one area over and over again to get a clean shave. This is the main reason why it is an ideal razor for people with sensitive, allergic, and rash-prone skin.
Performance
Fusion5 ProGlide is a no-nonsense, high-precision manual shaver for those who love to experiment with their beard style. Thanks to the FlexBall handle technology, you can maneuver the handle in any direction you want.
The blades come in close contact with the skin and don’t miss any hair, giving you the closest possible shave. You don’t have to pivot the razor on the same area repeatedly to get the desired result. So be assured that you won’t end up with razor burns and bumps with Fusion5.
It is waterproof and can be used with shaving gel and foam. The handle has a rubber grip on it to prevent slipping. There are 2 refills included in the package. Each refill should easily last you for a month. Cleaning the razor is a breeze. Just rinse it under running tap water, dry it with a washcloth. Done!
What Could be Better
I couldn’t find any glaring flaw worth mentioning in the device itself. The only thing I can crib about is that it takes a bit of practice to be able to use the razor properly.
Pros
- The blades smoothly glide on the contours of your face.
- No pulling or tugging.
- The blades don’t clog up.
- Can be used with shaving gel and foam.
- Can be used for shaving other parts of your body as well.
Cons
- Learning to use the razor properly takes some time.
Schick Hydro 5 Razor
Overview
If you are looking for a razor system that not only delivers a close shave but also moisturizes your skin while doing so, you should definitely check out Schick Hydro 5. Design-wise, it is not strikingly different from Fusion razors.
What makes it stand out is the blade lubrication. Instead of standard lubrication strips, Hydro 5 releases an aloe-enriched gel while you shave. As a result, the blades roll smoothly over your face. Instead of torturing your skin with razor bumps, burn, rashes and redness, it leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft.
The handle is flexible and the blades also contour nicely. Therefore, both men and women can use it for self-grooming. I’m also quite impressed by the longevity of the blades. It takes care of all my shaving needs, that too without burning a hole in my pocket.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of its primary features and functions to give you a better understanding of the product:
Key Features- Explained!
Design and Comfort
Hydro 5 razor also features Schick’s signature paintbrush style shaving head. It has 5 thin and sharp blades placed in a parallel position. The gap between each blade is wider than that of Fusion5.
Each blade features a skin guard which flattens your skin for a better shaving experience. Unless your hair is very thick and super curly, you won’t feel any pulling sensation. If you are going to shave a really long beard, I’d advise you to trim it off a bit first.
Due to the unique design of the cutting surface, the blades get better contact with your skin, resulting in a fairly close shave. The hydration gel technology takes the shaving experience to a whole new level.
On certain days when I’m feeling too lazy to lather shaving cream on my face, I can only use warm water and still get a well-groomed look. And the best part? No rash, no razor bumps, not even a little bit!
Handle and Trimmer
The Hydro 5 utilizes a ribbed rubberized handling, ensuring a great grip. It feels nice in the hand and its weight to balance ratio is on-point too. The shaving head easily adapts to the ever-changing contours of our face and body. Moreover, reaching the hard-to-access spots is a breeze too. The razor also has a trimming function.
The flip guard on top of the head snaps out of the way to expose the top blades, making it easy to shave the tight area under the nose. You can also touch up your mustache, sideburns, and goatee with it. The ergonomics and functionality of Hydro 5 render it a perfect tool for shaving chest, leg, underarm, and pubes as well.
Performance
Despite having a sleeker handle than Fusion models, Hydro 5 is easier to maneuver. It is slightly heavier, having a weight to balance ratio perfect for wet shaving. You see, the handle should ideally be a little hefty in order to provide a good balance. The handle also provides a firm grip.
The hydrating gel reservoir on it which they call lubricating reservoir filled with aloe-enriched conditioner and mineral oils. Once you dip the blade in warm water, the gel begins to release. This makes the blade glides smoothly, very smoothly. By doing so, it significantly reduces shaving time. You can quickly shave a week old stubble under 5 minutes.
Also, you can fold back the hydration gel reservoir in order to achieve a really clean shave. Although it still may leave a rough patch of beard behind, I don’t mind it. I actually kind of like a faded line of beard around my chin line and jawbone. So this is perfect for me.
However, if you don’t want a single trace of beard on your face, maybe the final result won’t satisfy you. Totally up to you. By the way, the flip guard at the top works as a built-in trimmer by exposing the top blades. Although it is nowhere nearly ask good as the Fusion5 built-in trimmer, it does a good job at shaving the tricky spots of your body.
The blades are so smooth and gentle on skin that even woman can use it for shaving their hands, armpits, legs, and even the private region. Also, if you are a youngster who is about to buy his first ever razor, this could be a great choice.
It is because your face has never experienced any blade tension before, therefore it is highly prone to injuries and razor bumps. So it is better to start off with a razor like this which actively guards your skin against razor burns, rashes and nicking.
What Could Be Better?
Hydro 5 is a near perfect razor for its price. The overall functionality is ideal for all kinds of shaving and body grooming. However, when it specifically comes to close shaving, Hydro 5 misses the mark. I have thin stubble yet I’m always left with a rough stubble after shaving. Hydro 5 is only good men who like to keep a stubble and those looking for a quick shave before an important meeting or date.
Pros
- Excellent lubrication system.
- Can be used for whole body grooming.
- The blades cartridges are long-lasting.
- The weight to balance ratio of the handle is great.
- Prevents rash, razor bumps, inflammation, and nicking.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Doesn’t provide with the closest possible shave.
Gillette vs. Schick – Which One Is Better?
I can understand why it must be hard for you to choose between Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide and Hydro 5. Trust me, I know the struggle, I have been there too. Both razors are great in their own unique ways and safe for people with sensitive skin too. So I decided to finally put an end to this Schick vs Gillette debate.
There’s no easy way to answer which one is better. I think if I make a list of their similarities and differences, the choice will be easier for you. So here we go:
The Similarities Between Gillette and Schick
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Number of Blades
To begin with, both razors feature 5 blades, sitting parallel to each other. The blades on both models are ultra-thin, very sharp and durable.
However, I found the Schick blade’s sharpness lasting for more than 10 shaves before the dullness kicks in. On the other hand, the ProGlide blades’ performance started taking a hit after 5-6 shaves.
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Built-in Trimmer
Both razors have trimming function. In case of Gillette, the trimmer is a separate blade at the backside of cutting surface. To use the Hydro 5 for trimming, you will have to flip the white color guard on the shaving head to expose the top blades.
While both trimmers do a great job, I like the ProGlide’s better as I can clearly view where I am maneuvering the trimmer.
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Lubrication Strips
Both razors have employed lubrication on their blade to help the blades glide smoothly and provide an irritation-free shaving experience. While the Gillette Fusion blades have blue strips smeared with gel, Schick utilizes a sealed reservoir which has 100% pure conditioner in it.
That’s why Fusion blade’s lubrication starts to fade after 5 or 6 shaves whereas the Hydro 5 keeps releasing a good amount of hydration gel for over 10 shaves.
What are the Differences Between These Two?
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Low-Friction Blade Coating
Fusion ProGlide blades have low-friction coating on them which minimizes tugging and pulling. There’s no such coating on Hydro 5 which might result in occasional tugging if your beard is too long.
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Blade Clogging
The Fusion5 ProGlide blades don’t trap hair or shaving foam between blades, thanks to its excellent water flow path. Compared to this, the Schick blades can clog sometimes when you are shaving a thick bunch of beard. However, if you are using shaving oil instead of foam, unclogging would be easier.
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FlexBall Handle Technology
Gillette FlexBall handle technology allows the blades to contour and shave the tight spots easily. It also eliminates the need for repeated passes on the same area for a clean shave.
While Hydro 5’s shaving head is quite flexible too, it is not as good as FlexBall tech. This is the sole reason why Schick Hydro 5 blades can’t shave as close as Fusion 5. It leaves behind a rough stubble on your face, leading to a sandpaper feeling which many of you may dislike.
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Handle’s Weight to Balance Ratio
Schick features a heftier handle than Fusion5. The former feels much better in hand and assures better maneuverability too. The Hydro 5 handle also provides a great balance, making it perfect for first-time users. I’d suggest Fusion to more experienced shavers as it has a bit of a learning curve.
The Bottom Line
So if you are looking for a well-engineered, power-packed cartridge razor for a really close shave, Fusion ProGlide is your best bet. However, in terms of value for money and smoothness of shaving, Hydro 5 is far superior. Therefore, ultimately, it all comes down to your shaving needs, skin type, and budget. Choose the one that perfectly fits the bill. Good luck!
Related Comparison Article: Gillette Fusion vs Fusion5: Which One Is Better?