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Panasonic ER-GB40-S Review: Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing

Razor bumps have always been my worst enemy. I have always been a regular cartridge razor user till the bumps got worse. You must be wondering why I didn’t switch an electric shaver much before.

Well, I tried. I used two shavers back to back but none of them would neatly cut through my coarse, unruly beard.

My search for the best electric shaver stopped only when I came across Panasonic ER-GB40-S. I know it sounded a bit salesy but it genuinely did the trick for me. While it’s easy to find a shaver for a thin, short beard, you’ll need a more power-packed device with super sharp, angled blades to work on long, thick and coarse hair like mine.

Quick Overview of Panasonic ER-GB40-S

FeaturesPanasonic ER-GB40-S
Trim Settings19
Blade type45 degree angle
Dial Type Adjustable
Battery Life50 Minutes
Wet/Dry Yes
Washable Yes
Warranty2 Years
Charging StandYes
Voltage120 V
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Its high precision blades trim the tip of my hair follicles in a linear manner. As a result, the follicles don’t curl up and grow back into my skin. Needless to say, this is the only trick that helped me get rid of razor bumps. What’s more, this body groomer gives you the shave of your dream with its 19 length settings.

Panasonic ER-GB40-S trimmer

But this is strictly my experience with Panasonic ER-GB40-S. You have to understand that the hair pattern of each individual is different, which is why the experience may vary. To help you decide whether ER-GB40-S is truly worth your money, I’ve tried to keep my bias aside and objectively review this product.

Before I elaborate on the features, let me give you a quick overview of this Panasonic body groomer.

This is not my first tryst with a Panasonic product. I’ve used their other products in the past, been absolutely satisfied with the ergonomics and performance. So I trust the brand.

It is one of the newer body trimmers from the brand and has a lot of useful features to give you a great shaving experience. The trim size range of 1-10 mm (with an increment of 0.5mm) is undoubtedly my favorite feature of this model. It includes a rotator dial to change the settings.

See, you should keep your expectations real while buying an electric shaver. No matter how good or expensive it is, it is not going to give you a super close shave. This one too isn’t an exception. However, like all the best beard trimmers, it helps you style and groom your beard, mustache, jawline, and sideburns like an expert salon stylist.

If you have recently started wearing stubble, medium length thick full beard (like me) or even a full-face beard, ER-GB40-S is tailor-made for the likes of you. It is a fully customizable cordless, wet/dry shaver. You can use it anywhere you want, with or without shaving gel, to touch up your beard before important meetings, a date or social gathering. It just makes your life easier without drilling a hole in your pocket.

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Key Features

  • 45-degree angled precision cutting blades that can easily prune thick beard, mustache, and sideburns.
  • Wet/dry shave means you can trim your beard both in your shower and on-the-go, maybe in your cab on the way to your office. I am particularly fond of wet shaving because there are very few electric shavers that are genuinely waterproof. You’ll have no problem using it with shaving gel or foam. Just make sure to wash the trimmer under running water after each use.
  • It’s cordless and rechargeable, making it a great option for frequent travelers.
  • Adjustable comb settings is another key feature. Instead of attaching and detaching combs in the middle of shaving, all you have to do is rotate a dial to change the comb length.
  • 19 length settings allow you to fully customize your shave.

What Is In the Box?

In the Box of Panasonic ER-GB40-S

The accessories that come in the ER-GB40-S aren’t huge in number. This is a good thing because you don’t need tons of accessories for trimming your beard. And too many add-ons also means increased cost.

The box includes a charging dock with a bright red indicator light and comb attachments. It also includes a bottle of lubricant to keep the blades in optimal condition. I also found a small cleaning brush that helps me clear off the tiny pieces of hair and junk from the shaving head.

Features of ER-GB40-S- Explained in Detail

  • Aesthetics

Aesthetics of Panasonic ER-GB40-SThe ergonomics of this trimmer is on-point. The combination of deep blue and grey is eye-catching. It has a sleek and slim profile and weighs about 12 ounces which makes the device exceptionally lightweight.

The thick, rubberized grip allows for a firm grip and prevents accidental drops on the floor. Plus, it’s cordless so you can touch up your facial hair even on-the-go. It is very easy to change the comb and cut size using a rotating dial on the trimmer body.

The trimming length ranges from 1-10 mm with 0.5 mm increment. With such a massive range, you can style your beard simply any way you want. Be it short and thin or a bushy beard, it can handle anything.

The trimmer along with its accessories neatly fit in travel bags. However, since I don’t travel much, I would have liked a slightly heavier weight trimmer. It would have allowed me greater control over the shaving action. Not a big deal, though. It still works pretty well.

  • Precision Blade

Precision BladeER-GB40-S utilizes a high-action 45-degree precision blade to slice through thick beard like a hot knife. It doesn’t just trim, it will also add fine details to your beard, sideburns, and mustache lines, giving them a professionally groomed look.

The blade is incredibly sharp which is rarely seen in electric shavers. It can actually deliver a close shave, not as close as a safety razor or double-blade cartridge razor, though.

As I told you before, you should not keep unrealistic expectations from an electric shaver. It is not designed to give you a nice and clean shave. It is meant for styling long beard and stubble and that’s what it does the best. If used and maintained properly, the blades will remain sharp and rust-free for quite a long time.

  • Wet and Dry Shaving Option

Wet and Dry Shaving OptionIt allows for both wet and dry shaving so that you can enjoy a quick and smooth shave. You can use shaving cream, gel or foam to shave over a sink. It is a fully submersible device so you don’t have to worry about water damage at all. I prefer the wet shave because it’s quicker and provides better results.

However, sometimes you don’t have the time or option to use a shaving cream or even water. Whatever the scenario is, ER-GB40-S has got your back. With the dry shaving option, you can touch up your facial hair without any shaving equipment. The results will be close to perfection.

The razor-sharp blades will gently hover over the contours of your face, neck, and jawline, thus grooming your beard in the shortest possible time. If you have a short to medium stubble, it will take about 2-3 passes to get the job done. If you have a long and bushy beard, I would advise you to first trim your beard short with a scissor before shaving. It will be quicker this way.

  • Battery

Battery and chargingThe ER-GB40-S comes with a rechargeable battery and a beautifully designed charging dock. The Ni-MH battery takes 15 hours to fully charge and allows a runtime of 50 minutes. Now, I do have issues with the long charging time.

15 hours is pretty long. While packing your bags for a trip, do not forget to leave the trimmer on charge a night before. If the trip is short, you don’t need to pack the charging dock as 50 minutes of battery back up is quite a lot.

Although I’m cribbing about the charging time, I have to admit that it’s still much better than spending on expensive double or AAA batteries multiple times.

  • Water Draining Feature

Water Draining FeatureThis is another aspect in which this trimmer stands out. It sports an open water drainer. After washing the trimmer under running water, open the drainer to shake out the excess water and stray whiskers. Then give it a good shake, pat it dry with a towel and the trimmer is ready for the next shave. Easy-peasy!

Do not forget to thoroughly rinse the device if you are going to use shaving gel or foam. Dirt will gunk up inside the trimmer head and if not washed properly, the blade will slowly lose its sharpness and catch rust.

  • Trimming Ability

Trimming AbilityNow that’s the most important feature to consider while buying an electric shaver. The fast-action, high-precision blades are gentle yet unbelievably powerful. It can be easily maneuvered along your neck, jawline, mustache line, and sideburns.

Choose the maximum length setting (10 mm) if you have a super long and thick beard. The blades will smoothly run over the edges, leaving you with an evenly trimmed beard. The rubberized grips give you a firm hold on the trimmer handle. Moreover, the motor is virtually silent so you won’t wake up the neighborhood while shaving. Kudos to that!

Extra brownie points for no pulling or tugging. I hate (hate, hate) when my beard gets tugged. Thankfully, the rotator dial stays firmly locked in place. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about this unless your beard is too long and coarse. That’s why I previously suggested using a scissor for cutting the hair short before trimming.

The results will be as good as you can get in any barber’s shop. But mind you, this cordless trimmer is not as powerful as a corded trimmer.

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Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the Panasonic ER-GB40-S is completely hassle-free. After wet shaving, all you have to do is hold the trimmer under running water. I’d advise rinsing it with warm water to disinfect the blades.

If you are going for dry shaving, use the cleaning brush included in the package to clear off the tiny whiskers stuck inside the trimmer head. The addition of draining holes in the trimmer helps the water to easily flow through the shaving head. Nice and easy this now.

Now comes the part I kind of hate. You will have to lubricate the blades after every use to keep it in good condition. But anyway, do it because it will guard the blades against corrosion. It will also enhance the sharpness and edge retention capability. The oil bottle is included right in the box.

What I Didn’t Like

Why on the Earth do I have to oil the blades after every use? Panasonic needs to invest in a better blade. I don’t have any issues with the sharpness or trimming ability. Those are great. It’s just that lubricating blades every day, especially when I’m running late for office is a bit hectic.

Secondly, what’s up with the long recharge time? 15 hours is ridiculously long. Just in case I forget to charge the device at night, no shaving for the next morning. However, once fully charged, it will last for 50 minutes which is quite a lot.

The LED light on the charging dock lights up when it’s charging. It doesn’t indicate when the charging is complete. What a weird flaw!

Last but not the least, the shortest trimming length is 1 mm. For more versatility, the minimum length should start from 0.5 mm.

Is ER-GB40-S Really Worth It?

A big yes. In the category of cordless wet/dry electric shavers, it is one of the best for the price. With 19 trimming length settings, easy-to-maneuver and super sharp blades, you can achieve any beard style you want. It is not flawless but who is?

Pros

  • 19 different length settings.
  • Includes AC charging dock.
  • 100% waterproof.
  • Rubberized grip.
  • No tugging.
  • Angled blades for precision cutting.

Cons

  • Charging time is long.
  • Blade requires oiling after every shave.

The Bottom Line

There are much better beard trimmers in the market. Much more versatile and efficient. But in this price range, it’s genuinely hard to find something as good as ER-GB40-S.

With the right maintenance, it should easily last for 2-3 years or maybe more. I’m not sure if everyone will get the same results from it. A lot depends on how you prep your beard before shaving and shaving techniques too.

So before jumping to a conclusion, make sure to figure out your specific shaving needs and preferences. Thanks for reading!

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