Philips Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver

by Philips

Product Features

• The world's only rotary razor that pivots and flexes to ensure constant contact with your face
• Up to 50% more shaving surface for a faster, smoother, closer shave
• Personal Comfort Control: Three comfort settings that adjust to your skin type for maximum comfort in sensitive areas
• Precision Cutting System: Ultra thin heads with slots to shave long hairs and holes to shave the shortest stubble
• Patented Reflex Action: Automatically adjusts to every curve on your face for flexible, smoother shaving

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The best from Philips Norelco – SmartTouch-XL combines the revolutionary Speed-XL shaving heads with the unique SmartTouch Contour Following System: up to 50% more shaving surface adjusting optimally to your skin resulting in a faster, closer shave.
	Speed-XL Shaving Heads – 50% more shaving surface for a faster, smoother and closer shave.
	Personal Comfort Control® System – Personalize your shave with 3 comfort settings that adjust to your skin type for maximum comfort in sensitive areas.
	Precision Cutting System – Ultra thin heads with slots to shave long hairs and holes to shave the shortest stubble.
	Patented Reflex Action® System – Automatically adjusts to every curve on your face for flexible, smoother shaving.
	Superior Lift and Cut® Technology – Dual blade system lifts hair to cut comfortably below skin level. Stainless steel blades for comfortably close shaves.
	Individually Floating Heads – Align the razor-sharp blades closer to your skin for exceptional closeness.
	Simply Rinses Clean – Quick and Easy!
Other standard features include: Easy Read 7 LED Multi-Function Display: Battery Level Indicators, Battery Low Warning, Battery Full and Charging Indicators, Shaving Head Replacement and Cleaning Indicator. Automatic Charging Stand with Clock. 1-Hour Full Charge for up to 90 minutes of shave time or 30 days of cordless shaving. 3-Minute Quick Charge Automatic Worldwide Voltage Spring-Release, Full-Width Trimmer Electronic On/Off Switch Protective Razor Cap Cord & Cleaning Brush Hair Collection Chamber Hard/Soft Storage/Travel Pouch
Every Philips Norelco shaver has a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a Full Two-Year Warranty.

Compare Norelco Shavers
	7110X	7140XL	7240XL	7180XL	8140XL	8160XLCC	9160XL	9170XLCC	9190XL
Superior Lift and Cut ® technology
Individually floating heads
Precision cutting system
Easily rinses clean
SpeedXL shaving system
Automatic charging stand
Jet clean and charge system
Personal comfort control system
SmartTouch contour following system
Multi-function LCD display
Replacement Heads	HQ8	HQ8	HQ8	HQ8	HQ9	HQ9	HQ9	HQ9	HQ9

Product Description

Norelco's New SmartTouch-XL combines two revolutionary technologies to shave more with each pass: 1. SmartTouch Contour Following System pivots and flexes to ensure constant skin contact. 2. Speed-XL Shaving Heads which now have 3 rows of Blades and Slots and Holes, and cover 50% more shaving surface for a faster, smoother and closer shave! The SmartTouch-XL Power System is rechargeable Cord/Cordless. It can be used anywhere! This model has a 7 LED Display which displays battery level, low battery warning, cleaning indicator, shaving head replacement indicator. One hour full charge for up to 55 minutes of shave time -- over two weeks! Shaver has a Spring Release, Full-Width Trimmer, automatic Worldwide Voltage, and 60 Day Money Back Guarantee and Full Two-Year Warranty! Accessories to use with this shaver are #HQ9 Speed-XL Replacement Heads and #HQ8010 Car Cord Adaptor.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000A23CQM
• UPC: 075020219169
• Item model number: 9160XL
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (283 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,831 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)
  • #44 in Health & Personal Care > Personal Care > Shaving & Hair Removal > Electric Shavers > Men's > Rotary Shavers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

276 of 300 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Norelco advances their electric superiority, November 30, 2005

By 

Brendan A. MacWade (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philips Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)

So 1989 gave us lift & cut. The late 90's gave us Norelco's Quadra system. Now finally, for the first time in its 40+ years as the leading maker of rotary shavers, Norelco gives us a system that covers more area, with more speed and comfort than ever before. It doesn't just promise a faster, closer shave, it delivers.

I can't speak for all guys, but let me try to break-down the electric / blade dilemma. Blades are closer, but cause irritation. So most blade users tend to skip a day to avoid that. Furthermore, you get a closer shave with a blade if you let the stubble grow a bit, so skipping a day is a common practice. But blade shaving gives guys far more options in terms of products to choose from, both for shavers and shaving conditioners and gels. Simply put, if you want a close shave and the ability to control all aspects of shaving, and see what you're cutting, the blade is the best way to go.

Then there's electric. An idea hatched from the late 1950's space age / cold war era that told us that blade shaving was a thing of the past. Electric shaving promised to be as close as a blade for decades, but never delivered. But over the years it has delivered its promise of a safer, faster, and less irritating shave. For guys who don't like shaving around the sensitive lips and nose areas, electric has its advantages.

All electric shavers fail to cut the longer neck hairs effectively, including the new Norelco XL series. But the XL is still a major breakthrough. Simply put, it has switched me back to electric after 6 years of using blades. The new rotors have three rows of blades, and an innovative mix of slots and holes for stubble, making-use of dead space that was Norelco's weakness since their beginning. The XL has the inward tilt mechanism introduced with the Quadra. And it has the late 80's lift-and-cut technology, which doesn't work exactly as advertised, but it does shave flat areas of the face as close as a blade (the cheek and upper lip areas do get the closest cut).

The XL series is easy to clean under hot water, another development from the Quadra series, which is even better and more effective here.

The XL gives me the closest electric shave I've ever had. And I can use it daily for a consistent smooth look without irritation. Add the recent development of products like Anthony for Men's alcohol-based pre-shave solution, and electric shaving suddenly has advantages worth making the switch. I liked the XL so much, I got the 9160XL for home, and the less-expensive 8140XL for my office. The 2 shavers are the same, except for the smart touch pivoting feature, which is not a big bonus in my opinion. The pivoting feature makes it possible to shave the neck and chin faster, but the results for both shavers is exactly the same, meaning that some neck hairs are going to be missed, making it necessary to use a blade to do some quick cleanup. Electric is far from perfect, but this is the closest and most comfortable electric yet. I'm sticking with it.

And since the XL is Norelco's top of the line model, it is still made in Holland. All other Norelco's are made in China. it won't be long before the XL is made in China as Norelco develops it's next breakthrough. But the XL is the big breakthrough as far as I'm concerned. I'm hooked. And I'm a total shaving geek now.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The shaver gets the job done., November 8, 2005

By 

L. Huang - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)

I've recently purchased the HQ9160 model, which is almost the same as the 9170 except the 9160 does not have the jet cleaning system. And I'm very satisfied with the product. Here's why.

Before switching to an electric shaver, I used the Mach 3 razor for over 5 years. Over the years I find that my skin got more and more sensitive to manual shaving, probably because I always shave against the grain (of the hair). Also, since I have acne problems, the razor blades often caused cuts that led to minor bleeding, which sometimes resulted in scarring. After using the HQ9160 electric shaver, all of the problems involving the skin irration and the unwanted bleeding are gone. And I think the electric shaver gives as close of a shave as my Mach 3 razors, especially in the upper neck area, near the throat. Plus, with the irration problem now gone, I have the option of shaving again in the evenings before I go out.

TIPS to improve your electric shaving experience:
- Wash, clean and dry your face before shaving.
- Have the razor heads glide lightly over your skin. Don't press the heads hard against your skin - it makes the cutting worse. Instead, you should use your free hand to gently stretch the skin while you shave over the area.
- Take the heads out and use a degreasing liquid such as Philishave razor cleaner or rubbing alcohol to clean heads once a month.
- Lubricate the heads with a Philisahve shaving spray or a drop of mineral oil once a month.
- For extremely senstive skin, you may want to use a shaving powder or oil such as the Remington Face Saver Pre-Shave Powder Stick.

REASONS I chose the HQ9160 over other models and brands:
- Price. I bought it for about $100USD (incl. shipping) from a famous online auction site (part of the name rhymed with Kay).
- Battery. Its Lithium ion cell yields 90 minutes (~30 days) of shaving.
- Travel pouch.
- 3-ring head. It has 50% more shaving surface vs. 1 ring head.
- Contour head. It does a better job over bumps and corners.
- Easy cleaning. Just rinse in hot water for a few seconds.

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth as a babies bottom!, May 23, 2006

By 

C. Scagliola (Santa Rosa, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philips Norelco 9160XL SmartTouch-XL Men's Shaver (Health and Beauty)

Hello All,

I purchased this razor as a replacement for my dying Norelco 4821XL which I purchased about ten years ago. I have been a loyal Norelco fan for 30+ years and with the addition of the Norelco 9160XL, I hope to continue that tradition. The first thing I noticed about the 9160 is HOW QUIET IT IS! My old razor made so much noise that it was like shaving with a hedge trimmer. The first time I turned on the 9160 I had to double check that the batteries were charge because of how quiet and smooth it runs. The next thing I am happy to report is how close and smooth a shave it produces. WOW!

The only negative I can say about the razor is that there is SO MUCH PLASTIC on it that I am concerned about how well the unit will hold up with age. In addition, the lock for the trimmer is rather difficult to get your finer on to release especially if you do not have long fingernails. I wonder if Norelco (and I hope you are reading this) could make the ridges on the trimmer release a wee bit higher so that those of us fingernail challenged people can have less trouble releasing the latch?!

Short of that minor annoyance, the razor is lightweight, quiet and produces a great close shave that will have your face as smooth as a baby's bottom. If you want a great razor I would look no further and jump on this puppy also while you are at it you might want to pickup a set of the HQ9 replacement heads so that down the road when the razor tells you that heads need replacing you have a spare set to replace them with.

Ciao!