Customer Reviews

Philips Norelco HQ40/33 Shave on the Go Battery Razor

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've used Braun shavers for about 20 years, and currently use a Series 7 Pulsonic. I travel quite a bit for work, and I like to pack as lightly as possible so the Braun Pulsonic usually stays at home. I have three different battery-operated Braun travel shavers that were made over the last 15-20 years, but I'm not completely happy with any of them. The latest PocketGo P-70 isn't bad--it actually might do my neck a tiny bit better than my Pulsonic--but I don't like using it for a full shave because it takes forever and doesn't do a very good job on my cheeks.

A few months ago I saw this Philips Norelco HQ40 battery shaver on Amazon and decided to give it a try. Man, I'm impressed! The little $20 Philips gives a great, close shave in a reasonable amount of time. As a bonus it is easier to clean with the little brush they give you than my PocketGo is. Since my last trip, I've started using the HQ40 at home on occasion, since I'm starting to think it gives me a better shave than my pricey Pulsonic.

My only niggle is I'd like a more secure fitting travel cap, or maybe a pouch, but the shaver itself is fine. Also, the Braun PocketGo can be used wet, where this Philips Norelco is dry use only. Battery life has been very good. I've probably shaved at least 15 times with it and I'm still using the set of Philips alkaline AAs that came with it.

Thanks Philips, I'm very happy with my HQ40!

I've been using this razor as my primary razor for over a year now. Battery life is fantastic! While shave may not be as close on first pass compared to a conventional razor, subsequent passes will provide a very close shave. It's very comfortable to use and will not pinch the skin or pull the hair like some foil types. It's also very quiet unlike most other shavers. I'm ordering another for travelling. You won't be wasting your money on this product!!!

This little shaver is quiet and works well. Its perfect to leave in the car for that 5 oclock shadow. No razor burn as with my old shaver. Battery power is a good benefit for my needs. Compact and looks good too.

I started using the "travel razor" on a trip and never stopped. It worked significantly better than the 3 headed expensive razor. When it finally got dull, I tried to get replacement heads. It turns out the price of replacement heads was $28 - $32. The whole new travel razor was only $14.99 at Amazon. Go figure.

For camping I chose the Norelco battery operated razor because of my many years of satisfaction with Norelco razors. This one meets my needs and expectations perfectly.

Braun's Marketing have discontinued the "370" travel shaver. Looking for a replacement, I first looked at the admittedly very elegant, smallest of Panasonic's shavers. Not convincing: loud, heavy, slow, and it hurt my skin.

Looking further, we discovered the Philips HQ40/ 33. A pleasant surprise, REALLY quiet. So quiet in fact that initially I thought it did not shave. Also, light-weight, easy to clean, and although made of plastic, a quality precision assembly.

We do not give it 5 STARS, only because it does not come with an effective protector cap for the "on/ off" switch and for the shave-head: I am paranoid it would switch itself "on" in the travel bag.

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P.S. I prefer a TRAVEL shaver to use Alkaline (or rechargeable NiMH) AAs. Positively, no built-in chargers for me.
Concerns, does the shaver re-charge from a 110/ 120V AND a 220/ 240V outlet? (e.g. Ireland, Europe, China, parts of Japan, Australia) Some adaptors (UK, China, Europe, Australia) are MUCH bulkier than two small AAs. Many remote places do not have 24-hour electrical power (e.g. in Africa, Iraq, while hiking and boating).

This was an interesting one. Easy to clean, easy to work with. But if you're looking for a smooth cut free shave, it won't do it.
Not bad for 30 bucks tho!
Comes with batteries. Only complaint is their customer service (from the Canadian side); not very helpful.

October 2, 2011: The Norelco HQ40 shaves fantastically. It takes a bit longer than my 120 volt powered triple header to shave, but not by much. Most importantly, it does not slow down on the neck and takes care of my multidirectional neck hairs with ease. I am a huge fan of the HQ40 and highly recommend it as a small, light, travel version of your home Norelco. To be comprehensive, here are my less positive observations. The plastic cover/protector snaps over the heads too lightly and can come off in your travel bag. There should be groves in the casing for the heads to make it easier to grip when tapping to empty shavings. The on off switch should be relocated to the bottom or provided with a more positive stop. It is too easy to accidentally turn off the razor while shaving, which frequently happens or to accidentally turn on the razor while traveling, which has not yet happened. For any Norelco user, and all the other shavers who should be, this is the travel razor for you.

That was the review, but here is a little about why I bothered to review the HQ40. My Norelco history starts almost 50 years ago, using my Dad's Norelco, which was a battery powered, two head unit, attached by a coiled wire to a battery pack with a mirror on one side. I first began shaving, following my older brother's footsteps, using a Gillette safety razor, brush applied shaving foam and painfully applied Old Spice aftershave. It didn't take long to see how quickly and painlessly my Dad shaved and I asked to try his Norelco. With savings from odd jobs, I bought my first, a two header battery powered Norelco. It used four AA batteries that looked a lot like the new HQ40, except was more square and probably four times as heavy. It was very durable, like all Norelco razors, and I used it as my only razor through high school, through college almost to a PhD and for a few years in between.

The Norelco HQ40 was purchased to replace a Braun 370, battery powered foil type travel razor. I have used the Braun 370 as my travel razor for the last ten or fifteen years, because it is small and light, is battery powered and generally shaves pretty well. It does not, however, shave the stubborn beard on my neck, which grows seemingly parallel to the skin from all directions. Thank goodness the Braun has a pop up trimmer with which I can scrub it to stubble, so it can then be shaved. The neck beard is what finally drove me to look for a new travel razor.

At first, I thought I would just purchase the new smaller and lighter Norelco GyroFlex to replace my old floating head version, but didn't want to give up the convenience of battery power. Then I looked on eBay to see if I could find the old battery powered Norelco I started out with all those years ago. That is when I first saw the HQ40 and didn't see how I could go wrong. After receiving it from Amazon, I can now say, I was very right.

I have used this model for several years and wanted to throw my 10 cents in:
1- If your face is soft or your beard lays down you need to use Remington Face Saver before shaving. The powder stick gets your hair to stick up and covers the oil in your skin. Believe me I cant even use an electric without it-I just cut up my face.
2- make sure you keep it clean and use hair clipper oil such as Wahl. This keeps the blades sharp and they will last longer.
3- I put in Lithium photo batteries- they last a Loooonnnng time. I dont use it everyday-mostly in the field or for a quick "car" shave. These batteries have great shelf life in or out of the razor.

For the money you cant beat this razor. With the Face Saver the shave is much closer with less passes. I can get a decent shave without much problem. The thing is reliable and I dont take the greatest care (field use in Afghanistan among other places) I just throw it in my kit and dont worry (It gets wet quite a bit). As long as you are not thinking it will be equal to a $100 razor you wont be disappointed.

i like it a lot for the price it is one of the best shavers i ever used & well worth the price to i have way more costly shavers & this one works just as good if not better than the high end ones. some of the high end make my face brake out or give me razor burn, but this does not do any of those things and the other ones are heaver & bulkier & this one is none of those things. all around its a real good shaver..............