Customer Reviews

Gillette Fusion Proglide Power Razor, 1-count Package

5 star:		(92)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

To properly evaluate the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power razor, I decided to compare it to the new Schick Hydro 5 and my normal razor, a Schick Quattro Power. All started with a new cartridge and a fresh battery as applicable.

I'll begin by saying that I've been using Schick razors for about 40 years and have not been too impressed by most Gillette razors. In particular, they tended to clog up more and were harder to keep clean. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the ProGlide as well.

ProGlide vs. Hydro 5
Initial impressions: Packaging: Both come in the standard plastic clamshell, but the Gillette is easier to open. The back is perforated for easy opening, where the Schick is more child-proof and requires a sharp object to open it.

What's included: The Gillette comes with only one cartridge, where the Hydro comes with two.

Holders: the Gillette snaps snugly in to the included plastic holder, while the Schick holder just has a small pin to locate the razor. You could use the Gillette's as a travel holder with no problem.

Guarantee: The Schick comes with a money back guarantee. The Gillette assumes you will like it.

The razors: While the Gillette looks more substantial, both weigh 1.4 oz fully loaded. The Gillette has a single blade trimmer on the back of the cartridge. Flip the razor 180 deg to use it. The Hydro's trimmer is under the lube strip that you flip back to use the trimmer.

Cartridge mounting: The ProGlide cartridge slides on easily and snaps in place. The locator pin also acts as "suspension" for the cartridge pivot. The Hydro is a bit more imprecise. You have to line up two small spring loaded fingers on the handle with tabs on the cartridge. Not hard, but not as elegant as the Gillette. The Schick cartridge is smaller than the Gillette...less waste.

On initial "hefting" the Gillette felt better, but in use both were comfortable and easy to maneuver.

The Shave Test
All of the above are secondary to the "Yes, But How Does It Shave" test. I shaved half of my face with the Gillette and half with the Schick, using Proraso Shaving Cream and a badger bristle brush.

Shave No. 1: (3 Day Growth)
The ProGlide felt smooth in all directions, with and against the grain. No pulling on the neck or under the chin. The trimmer was easy to use.

The Hydro was smooth on the cheeks, but pulled noticeably on the neck, especially against the grain. It left a couple of small "razor burn" marks on my neck. To use the trimmer you have to hold the razor with one hand and flip back the cover with the other.

Both razors rinsed clean easily with no clogging.

The Wife Test: Immediately after shaving, Mrs. Boilermate judged the Gillette side marginally smoother, but said that side felt sticky. After my face "dried" she still said the Gillette side was smoother.

Shave No. 2: (2 Day Growth)
The Gillette was smooth while the Hydro pulled noticeably on the neck and under the chin. The Gillette side was again judged smoother in the Wife Test.

ProGlide vs Quattro
Shave Nos. 3 and 4 were done with a two and three day growth respectively using the ProGlide and a Schick Power Quattro (with a new cartridge and a fresh battery).

The first thing I noticed is the ProGlide is noticeably quieter, where the Quattro sounds like an electric razor by comparison.

In both tests, the ProGlide performed as before, with no pulling or burning. The Quattro pulled slightly on the neck, but substantially less than the Hydro did.

As before, the Gillette side was judged smoother by Mrs. B., tho by a similarly small margin.

So what's not to like? The price of the cartridges. Schick cartridges are cheaper across the board than Gillette. Power ProGlide carts are about $4.00 apiece, where Quattro Power carts are about $2.50 each.

While the ProGlide gives an excellent shave, doesn't shave enough better to justify switching from the Quattro based on the cost of the cartridges.

Overall, though, the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power rates five stars. As a life-long Schick user, I was pleasantly (and unexpectantly) surprised by this razor. If you can get past the price of the cartridges, I highly recommend this razor.

The first thing I tried with this razor was a side-by-side comparision with my Mach 3 razor. So I put a new blade on my old razor and shaved one side of my face and neck, and the other with the Fusion. Without hesitation I can say the Fusion was a much smoother and less iritating shave. However, both razors seemed to give the same shave in terms of closeness. To be sure, I let my hair grow out a few days and there was no appreciable difference.

I can recommend this to anyone who needs a very sensitve shave. The battery power works in the shower, so that's a nice convenience. Naturally, with a battery, there's more heft than an unpowered razor like the Mach 3.

The downside, you might expect, is that the blades are about twice as expensive as the Mach 3. Since my old razor never bothered me, I won't be switching to these more expensive blades. But if money is no object, or if you really need a more comfortable shave, this would be a good razor for you.

This razor is okay, but it certainly doesn't live up to the hype, and, most certainly, not the price. It's all sizzle and not too much substance. Don't get me wrong you'll get a good shave, relatively speaking. But I've had better shaves with other less costly razors. I've used the Fusion, both manual and power, and the Mach 3. After shaving for a number of years with both Fusion power and manual, I've detected no difference between a "power" shave and a manual one. The Proglide is no different. The "power" option with battery and all sounds great, but doesn't work at all. It's a placebo and an expensive one at that.

I'm going back to using Mach3.

Here's a tip that has really served me well: use hair conditioner rather than shaving foam, and you will get a much closer shave. At first, I didn't believe a friend of mine when he gave me this tip. But it's true. I get much closer shaves. And the other great benefit is that your razor blades last much, much longer. Instead of a razor blade lasting me for a couple of weeks, tops, when I use foam, my blade is good for six to eight weeks when I use hair conditioner. Needlessly to say, now I only use hair conditioner for shaves. And I don't have to tell you, this translates to not only getting great shaves, but to saving a lot of money!

With the claims of a revolutionary razor, I believe most of the hype to be exactly that, hype.

Took a shower, washed my face. Applied Gillette Fusion shaving cream and tested it next to my old Fusion. No difference, what so ever. The "larger handle" is not that big of a deal, compared to the fact that a Powered Fusion has roughly the same handle size. The shave was no closer, it was no smoother, I could tell no difference what so ever in razors besides the pretty blue light on my new ProGlide. Having said that, I can't complain, they sent it too me for free.

It's an excellent marketing ploy designed to influence Americans to buy whatever product big businesses want us to buy next. Having said that, I see no reason to switch from my old Fusion to newer and more expensive cartridges. It received three stars due to the promises made by Gillette, and the fact there older products are just as functional as this newer, more expensive one.

Since I started shaving a few years ago I've been using the bottom-of-the-barrel cheapo razor blades and dealt with irritating tug, ingrown hairs, and skin discoloration. So, it goes without saying when I figured I had enough of my face and chin looking like a rocky road I was bound to notice improvements when I picked up this razor, and I did.

Quality isn't an issue here: the razor looks great, and gives me a very smooth shave. There is also a vibrating function which I choose to use since it eliminates just about any tug I feel on my skin. My shave feels much more comfortable, looks better, and even with 5 blades it works well against my sensitive skin which I already see improving. The precision trimmer edges up nicely for the clean cut look, but after experimenting I also feel it's a less risky shave than the main blades around the "danger zone" chin and neck area.

So now, I got my free razor from Gillette, love it and plan on getting more razors/blades...whats the catch? At almost four bucks a blade for refills, this is simply outrageous and it's a dealbreaker for me. I'll keep using these until the razors I currently have go dull (luckily that will take a while) and downgrade to the original Gillette Fusion Blades unless the price of refills goes down.

I just got a sample of this razor from Gillette and I have to say its not much more different than the older Fusion. While it seems to be bit more smoother than older Fusion when I shave with the grain, I don't see any difference when I shave against the grain. It seems to struggle just as the older fusion against the grain. 3 STARS because the hype that Gillette put behind this product is not justified.

I am always trying to find shaving products to give me a closer and more comfortable shave. I've experimented with this razor for the past few days. I will not be permanently upgrading to this. For some reason, Gillette appears to have completely bought into the notion that five blades gives a better shave than just two or three. Like the Fusion Power, the Fusion Proglide Power has some of the same problems. The most obvious problem it has is cost (just like the Fusion Power). For the quality of the shave you get, the cost of replacement cartridges is not justified. To be fair, I have noticed a slightly more comfortable glide with this over the Fusion Power. The blade stabilizer and microcombs do appear to be a modest improvement in this regard. Also, the Fusion Proglide blades appear to last a little longer than the Fusion Power blades - but not by much. The micropulses still do not provide a greater degree of comfort over a razor that lacks this feature. Also, I have not noticed a closer shave with this razor over the current one I am using (which is now the Schick Hydro 3). When comparing it my current razor, the Fusion Proglide Power definitely lacks the level of smoothness and comfort. Last but not least, just like its predecessor, I've discovered this five bladed razor tends to nick my face more often than a double or triple bladed razor. Gillette needs to get back to basics by realizing it is much easier to keep a satisfied customer who gets a good, comfortable shave as opposed to introducing new brands of razors that have gimmicks, and that are, not to mention, ridiculously overpriced.

I suppose the Proglide could be of value for those with skin issues. But for most guys, it simply doesn't deliver the closeness the "old-fashioned" 2-blade Sensor has been giving for 20 years. The Proglide marketing campaign relies mostly on gimmicks, specifically:

1) They use the same slo-mo cartoon that was once used to show how the Sensor gives a closer shave because the first blade pulls out the hair it cuts, then the second blade shaves it even closer while the hair is stretched out a bit. But in the current Proglide commercial, the cartoon is altered to show the second blade doing nothing except scraping the skin, with the hair ending up sticking out above the skin surface. Major BS here by Gillette.

2) If you're not comatose, you'll notice on their "Take the Proglide Challenge" commercials (the one with the used-car salesman guy), they are actually comparing Proglide vs. a DISPOSABLE RAZOR!!! What does that prove? How low can Gillette go???

Disregarding the guerilla marketing, Proglide isn't totally worthless. They have innovated the smoothest shave ever, by giving up a little closeness. Bottom line is, you're paying 3 or 4 times more to get a smoother (for the first 2 shaves of each razor) but less close shave. After 2 shaves, you're paying 3 or 4 times for a shave that's less close AND less smooth.

I was skeptical that Gillette was able to create another "best shave ever". More blades, more power, and whatever else their powerful marketing machine is able to drum up. However, coming from the standard Fusion line, I can't believe the difference this razor makes. Maybe it's the vibration, maybe it IS the thinner blades, but whatever it is, it works.

My beard is very coarse and grows like a caveman. I can be completely smooth in the morning and by 7:00 at night, my face feels like sandpaper. Other blades, even my beloved Fusion, would pull on my face when I shaved. The ProGlide is like butter. Easily lumberjacking the thousands of mini pine trees that decorate my face. This is my first experience with a "powered" razor. I've never owned one as I thought they were gimmicky, but it seriously helps make shaving more comfortable. Perhaps this is the reason the ProGlide feels to smooth. Whatever the case, shaving has never felt better, nor lasted longer than it has with this razor. My face stays smooth ALL DAY. I do have to shave the next morning, but if I wanted to, I could go into work (like I did today) with a minor sandpaper face. However there is a cost for all of this handsomeness and it's the cost of those blades. $3.30/each from Costco. That's outrageous, but my wife does love a smooth face and I can't deny her that.

I tried every razor on the market starting with the Gillette sensor 2 blade when I first started shaving at around 14-15 years of age. The truth is that I kept on buying into the newer razors that came out thinking they were better but that was always not the case. So I'll briefly compare this to the other razors I've tried and tell you a honest view of mine about why this deserves only one star and which razors are better.

Firstly, when I started shaving the Gillette sensor excel 2 blade was excellent and provided a good shave with less to no irritation at all when used with a shave gel. The sensor 3 blade was a little closer and just as comfortable as the two blade. Thats all I have to say about that.
The Mach 3 then came out which did seem to be a better razor and provided a closer shave with out much irritation so it was a winner. Then Mach 3 power nitro came out and the power aspect felt good but the results was basically the same. So all in all the Mach 3 manual and power were better than the Sensor excel 2 and 3 blade razors up to now.

Schick then came out with the quattro 4 blade(the original first one) which was Ok and provided a good close shave but I still decided to stick with the comfort of the Mach 3. So up till now the Mach 3 was my razor of choice.

Now the story changes a bit:

I received a free sample of the fusion power and at first I thought it was the best razor because of the first few close shaves it provided. I got over excited and bought a 8 pack refill for the fusion power thinking I would never use anything else. BAD DECISION!!!! My clear unirritated skin became red and irritated after continuing to use the fusion power. At first I thought maybe my skin is changing as I'm getter older so it's my skin's fault. I would get ingrown hairs and it was then embarrassing to go out. I lost all my self confidence and started staying more reserved. I tried various skin treatments to rid of the irritations and redness but nothing would work. The problem with the fusion was that the blades would only last about 3 shaves and then irritate the hell out of your face. ONE DAY I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO TRY ANOTHER RAZOR.

I then bought the Schick Quattro Titanium and boy was it a much less irritating shave with more comfort and the same closeness as the fusion. It was much much better than the fusion because of the titanium coating and the blades last forever. They would stay sharp for months and wouldn't clog if a shave gel was used.(I know people complain that it clogs but with a light foaming shave gel like Anthony Logistics or Zirh it doesn't).

Now Hydro 5 vs. Fusion Proglide

Hydro 5 came out first and since the schick quattro titanium was my razor of choice I had to try the Hydro 5. At first I liked it, the gel strip felt gooey but washed off easy with warm water. The shave was not as close as I would have wanted. The hydro 5 missed a few parts on the neck area and the under nose area because of the huge cartridge. Still I kept on using it since it came with 2 refills anyway. The gel strip lasted longer than fusion but not as long as quattro titanium.

Fusion Proglide: I bought the sneak peek package just to try the razor before it came out and all I can say is AWFULLLLLL!!!!!!! This time I couldn't even get one good shave from this crap. Turns shaving into gliding my A$$!!!! It's very uncomfortable to use and does not glide at all.I will admit that it provides a very close shave but that irriates my face a lot. So the fusion proglide is the worst razor I've ever used so far. The cartridge lasts only like two shaves and the refills are more expensive than a full tank of gasoline(mind the exaggeration but you know what I mean).

Final verdict: Gillette just tweaks their razors a bit makes false claims and sells their refills for a lot of money to fool the consumers. They are nothing but marketing now. Up until the Mach 3 they were my razor brand but the fusion and fusion proglide are nothing but scams. They look cool but I think they are face wreckers. Then again I have sensitive skin so I understand people with thicker beards and normal skin probably love Gillette razors but I have to address the sensitive skin shavers out there and Gillette razors should be avoided by them unless they want a irritated face.

The hydro 5 lost because of the huge razor head and strip making it less precise. Also the skin guards on the hydro irritate more than help. So Schick Quattro Titanium is the razor of choice for my sensitive skin. It will not clog with Zirh or Anthony Logistics shave gel and causes no irritation. The blade lasts long and refills are reasonable price, it has the single edging blade which is better than hydro 5 flip trimmer which just irritates. Sorry for long review but I just had to share my experience.