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Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor: For the Sharpest Version of You

Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor

When it comes to shaving, I’m a blade man. Nothing compares to the feeling of a close shave done with a quality blade—leaving skin smooth, hair-free, and refreshed. It’s true that irritation sometimes comes with the territory, but that’s a small price to pay. A compromise the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra razor doesn’t require.

A true gentleman appreciates skill, softness, hot towels, and exceptional fragrances during a barber visit. It’s a feeling nearly impossible to replicate at home without an elaborate routine and solid experience. And there’s no way I’d let an amateur come near my face with a sharp, sturdy blade.

Inside the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor box
Inside the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor box Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie

Then comes a new way—somewhere between tradition and innovation. It’s called the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra, a fresh addition to the Philips razor family. It doesn’t deliver the one-of-a-kind experience of a classic wet shave, but it’s far more than a basic home shave. The new Philips razor combines the finesse of a close shave with cutting-edge technology.

Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor: Closer Than Close

The internal parts of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The internal parts of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Philips

The truth is, the new Philips razor literally shaves below the skin. In fact, according to the company’s data, it cuts hairs at -0.08 mm from the root, without nicking the skin. A system called Lift & Cut lifts the hair—painlessly, let’s be clear—before cutting it as close as possible. The result is, without question, one of the most precise shaves my face has ever experienced.

Lift & Cut system of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor in detail
Lift & Cut system of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor in detail Photo: Philips

The other technologies featured in the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor are just as impressive. Fully waterproof, it adapts to every condition and circumstance, and its ergonomic grip makes handling it a breeze.

The different accessories of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The different accessories of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Philips

With five shaving modes, it tackles even the most demanding beards with ease. A quick test on a five-day beard proved more than conclusive—it required no extra effort from me. And my skin was left unscathed after this daring challenge for my delicate face!

The 3 rotary blade heads of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The 3 rotary blade heads of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie

The key lies in its three 360° NanoTech Dual Precision rotary blades, constantly adjusting to the contours of your face. Altogether, the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra delivers up to 8 million cuts per minute, or around 135,000 cuts per second—leaving virtually no chance for any stubborn hairs.

The travel case of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The travel case of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie

Add to that incredible speed a rotating and flexible head plus a hydrophilic coating featuring over 500,000 microtech beads per square centimetre, and you’ll understand why it glides effortlessly over your skin. Everything happens gently, seamlessly.

With the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor, Shaving Becomes Effortless

The GroomTribe app as the perfect companion for the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The GroomTribe app as the perfect companion for the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo : Philips

Philips went a step further by integrating a smartphone app and multicolour lighting at the base of the razor. The goal? Turn your shave into an efficient routine, thanks to sensors that track your shaving time in real time (did you know shaving should never exceed three minutes?), as well as your movement and applied pressure.

Active guidance system of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
Active guidance system of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie

Your Philips i9000 Ultra glows green when the gentleman in you applies the ideal pressure and motion. Other colours appear when your technique is off. You’ll find yourself trying to stay green as long as possible—and even comparing your app results with those of the previous day. After all, who doesn’t want to improve?

Language settings menu on the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
Language settings menu on the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor (in french for us, but english and many other languages are also available) Photo: Normand Boulanger | Gentologie

Another highlight of the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra: its exceptional ease of cleaning. With just the press of a button, the shaving heads pop open for a quick rinse. Or better yet, place the razor upside down in the provided cleaning pod, and let the magic happen.

You can even track the cleaning session on both the app and the razor’s built-in colour display, which also handles the initial configuration of your razor. The screen gives timely reminders, like when it’s time to clean the heads. It’s also where you check battery life and recharge when needed.

The Precision Trimmer on the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor

The Precision Trimmer on the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor
The Precision Trimmer on the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor Photo: Philips

The only notable downside to this otherwise outstanding device is the precision trimmer, which didn’t prove as accurate or effective as expected. It struggled a bit with the longer hairs of my goatee and moustache, which I intentionally keep slightly longer. Defining the contours precisely wasn’t possible, and I’ll likely need a dedicated tool for that job.

Stylish, high-tech, and gentle like a luxury blade, the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor has everything you need to treat your face with care—and in just a few minutes. Chances are you’ll want to beat your score from the day before. Shaving just became a gentleman’s game.


Where to Buy the Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor

*The Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra Razor was graciously provided by the manufacturer. Our editorial team guarantees an independent and impartial review.

The team also tested the Braun Series 9 Pro+—a full article is coming soon.

Marc Bouchard is an experienced journalist, member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. For more than two decades, it has tested more than a hundred vehicles annually and traveled the world in search of unique tests or to attend major auto shows. We find him on television on the show "Virage", a classic of its kind. He contributes to more than a dozen radio stations each week, and also writes in various newspapers. Gentologie is therefore added to his list of achievements.