Philips Electric Shaver 3000 Series – Wet & Dry Electric
Philips Electric Shaver 3000 Series – Wet & Dry Electric Shaver for Men with SkinProtect Technology in Space Grey, Pop-up Beard Trimmer, Cordless Shaver with Travel Pouch (Model S3241/12)
| Brand: | PHILIPS |
| Origin: | Netherlands |
Very good so fa
Apart from the reams of instructions in the box this hes performed very well. Old razor was years old and this was a real shock to use .takes half the time now and gives a good close shave. Ill make it a rule now to not run things into the ground just because they keep going
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a comfortable shaving experience, especially travellers.
The Philips Electric Shaver 3000 Series is a game-changer, especially for travellers. This shaver provides an incredibly smooth shave, whether I use it wet or dry. The SkinProtect technology ensures no irritation, making it perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. It’s easy to clean, holds a charge well, and the ergonomic design fits comfortably in my hand. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase — it’s even better than the ten year old Phillips 3000 it replaced. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a reliable and comfortable shaving experience.
The ease of use
For an electric shaver iam very happy. You dont get a shave has close as a wet shave but I knew that before buying. It’s very convenient and easy to clean, just wash under the tap, or a shower head. You will easily get a weeks shaves on one charge.
Pick of the range for value, works well.
When you’ve had a really good product, sometimes all you want is to be able to buy the same again.
This is the second 3000 series Philips shaver I’ve owned; the one I have just replaced with this S3241/12 was an essentially similar ‘Williams F1’ version I have had since 2010. The charger on the old one is damaged so I decided to replace it. Nothing wrong with the shaver at all. Further to its credit the battery is still good at 14 years – I should say I have had periods of beard wearing and ordinary wet shaving since so it didn’t actually provide 14 years of full daily shaving!
The new 3000 series is styled slightly only differently, and is fully waterproof for use wet or dry, unlike the old one which was simply rinseable for emptying/cleaning. Otherwise it is extremely similar, including the built in trimmer which flips out. The ‘floating’ heads are now called ‘5D Pivot & Flex’ and the whole cutter assembly pivots on the body of the shaver, but otherwise appears to work exactly like the old ones. This is, if anything, reassuring as it is nothing if not proven technology.
The new 3000 series shaver does provide a slightly better shave than its 14 year-old ancestor. In part perhaps due to being new, but the cutter guards have also changed slightly in that the new shaver’s are just slotted, whereas the older model had both slots “for longer hairs” and holes “for short stubble” to quote the blurb.
Charging on the new shaver is done with a special lead provided, which has a USB-A connector (like a phone charging cable) on one end and a Philips connector on the other. No actual charger is provided, presumably because it is assumed that we all have them (I do). I have just charged the new shaver from my laptop. It took maybe half an hour to charge from 1 blob to 3 (full).
There’s a whole new range of Philips shavers at the top end of the range now with prices rising into the hundreds of . Styling on those is what I call “Dysonised”, more technical-looking. Perhaps the venerable 3000 series will disappear at some point but for now, at about 60-65, it looks like a bargain to me (the version I bought in 2010 cost 88 ).
Recommended.
Follow up: After 15 days use, it is about half discharged so battery endurance looks good. I have tried shaving in the shower using gel, which is OK but doesn’t seem to make much difference to the result. Still happy.
Finally chucked out my old Philips shaver, over 10 years old and replaced it with this one which is about half the cost of my old one. It’s so much better, cleaning is easy, just flip the lid and it opens to a big chamber that collects the shavings – my old one used to clog up because it was so small inside. This one has a flip out trimmer, much better than my old one that you had to remove the shaving head and insert the trimmer. Also, this one shaves much better, but that may be because it’s new.
A quality rotary shaver at a reasonable price. Much quieter than any foil shaver and more convenient than wet shaving. Your skin will need time to adapt to this way of shaving. Electric shave exclusively for a few weeks, since mixing shaving methods will prevent adaptation. Initial shaving results probably won’t be consistently smooth but should be a lot closer after around three weeks.
After years of using foil shavers I became fed up with forever buying new foil & cutter sets that lasted less than a year, so I opted for a rotary shaver. It doesn’t shave quite as close as a foil one, I expected that, but the results are more uniformly even, with no areas poorer than others. It even gets the annoying bits in the corner of my lips that I used to keep touching with the tip of my tongue all day. It is extremely quiet, and what is more, the triple head covers a bigger area, so my shaving is quicker than it used to be.
A couple of niggles: The button that makes the head spring open for cleaning is far too sensitive, I’ve unintentionally touched it and had the head open quite a few times while shaving. And am I alone in finding the tapered body awkward to hold? My fist made of fingers and thumb always slides up towards the head; I presume one is meant to brace one’s thumb against the inner angle of the head, but mine never stays there for long.
UPDATE 12/2023: Still happy with using the shaver, but when I open the head for cleaning the damn thing falls off into the basin fifty percent of the time, it is far too loose and really needs to be held on tighter.
When it comes to grooming, having a reliable and efficient electric shaver is essential, and the Philips Shaver Series 3000 Dry and Wet Electric Shaver (Model S3233/52) in a sleek Shiny Black color has become my go-to grooming companion. This exceptional electric shaver has exceeded my expectations in every way, and I’m thrilled to share my experience with a well-deserved 5-star review.
One of the standout features of the Philips Series 3000 is its 5D pivot & flex heads. These innovative heads effortlessly follow the contours of my face, ensuring a smooth and comfortable shave every time. Gone are the days of tugging and pulling on my skin during shaving, as the 5D pivot & flex heads glide smoothly, preventing irritation and providing a seamless shaving experience. This level of comfort is a game-changer for me, as I no longer dread the daily grooming routine.
The Power Cut blades of the Philips Series 3000 have been expertly engineered to deliver a consistent and clean shave with every use. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the closeness of the shave compared to my previous shaver. The blades efficiently cut through even the thickest facial hair, resulting in a smoother and more refined appearance. Thanks to the Power Cut blades, I no longer need to go over the same area repeatedly, making the shaving process faster and more efficient, which is perfect for busy mornings or when I’m on the go.
One of the most impressive aspects of this electric shaver is its 27 self-sharpening blades. These blades ensure that the cutting performance remains at its best over time, even after numerous uses. With the self-sharpening feature, the Philips Series 3000 maintains its sharpness, providing a reliable and consistent shave every time. This not only guarantees a clean shave but also saves on the hassle and expense of frequent blade replacements, making it a cost-effective and long-lasting grooming solution.
The built-in trimmer is another fantastic addition to the Philips Series 3000, enhancing its versatility and functionality. This feature allows me to easily maintain my mustache and trim my sideburns with precision, eliminating the need for separate grooming tools. The trimmer is conveniently integrated into the shaver, making it readily accessible during my grooming routine. Its accuracy and ease of use ensure that I achieve a polished and well-groomed look effortlessly.
For those who value convenience and flexibility in their grooming routine, the cordless shaving capability of the Philips Series 3000 is a game-changer. After just an hour’s charge, the shaver provides up to 60 minutes of cordless shaving, offering freedom of movement and making it perfect for travel or quick touch-ups without the hassle of finding a power source. The battery life has been consistently reliable, allowing me to use the shaver multiple times without the need for frequent recharging.
In terms of design, the Philips Series 3000 boasts a sleek and ergonomic build that fits comfortably in my hand during use. The shiny black color adds a touch of elegance, making it visually appealing and a standout addition to my bathroom shelf. The shaver’s design also ensures a secure grip, reducing the chances of accidental slips during shaving.
In conclusion, the Philips Shaver Series 3000 Dry and Wet Electric Shaver (Model S3233/52) has truly proven itself to be a top-notch grooming companion. The 5D pivot & flex heads provide a comfortable and close shave, while the Power Cut blades ensure consistent and efficient performance. The built-in trimmer, cordless shaving capability, and self-sharpening blades further elevate its functionality, making it a reliable and convenient grooming solution for any modern man. With its impressive features and outstanding performance, I wholeheartedly give the Philips Series 3000 a well-deserved 5-star rating, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a superior grooming experience.
*edited – find at the end about battery *
In the photos I compare my previous AT797 (on the right) with the just bought S3233 (on the left). The S3233 is slightly longer, but slimmer. It feels lighter too. I suppose the S3233 is the model that supersedes the AT797. The AT797 lasted 4 years and started malfunctioning all too sudden, I believe due to the damage in the sealents. However, if I compare with a razor blade, and considering the former model was bought for round about the same price as the new one, it made me save more than 100 GBP over these 4 years. If I consider I was shaving every other day before I bought the AT797 and that a blade was used 7 times on average, then I would have used a new blade every fortnight, which means 26*4=104 over a 4 year period. If we now take the price of Wilkinson Quattro blades sold at Tesco for 1.5 GBP each or Gillette Fusion sold at Tesco for no less than 2.5 GBP per blade, which are the type of blades I was using by then, then over the 4-year period a Philips shaver in this range made me save between 100 and 200 GBP. I never replaced the shaver heads either.
I have read some negative comments that the shaving doesn’t compare to the one from a razor blade. I am afraid this happens with all electric shavers: they will never give “that clean” shaving. However, I don’t have any cuts and my skin feels far less irritated than with a razor blade, even when I am comparing with the expensive ones above. It is important to note I always shave with warm water and shaving foam, even with this electric shaver.
Performance is as equally good as with the former model. My problem always is at the bottom of the neck where my hair is softer, but I got used to it. Other than that, provides me with excellent shaving. I was considering buying the more expensive and slick 5000 series with turbo +, but I don’t like the fact the trimmer is not in-built (more loose parts and assembling-disassembling means more damage happening sooner). The position of the on/off button is also not ergonomic on the 5000. I also think the end result is probably the same (didn’t have an opportunity to test) and most of it is just marketing playing our heads for a premium.
Compared to the AT797 it charges much quicker. The charger is the same, by the way, with a kind of EU plug (10 amp pins or electrodes, the chubby ones). It now brings a battery level indicator.
I am very happy with this one, and provided it gives me another 4 years of shaving, can’t really complain. If you use with warm water and shaving foam, it does give a smooth feeling, so I am quite pleased with Philips.
I decided to write this extensive review because I had to read many before I could make a final decision. I hope this can help others like me, who do not want to spend a lot of money in an electric shaver, but don’t want to risk going for less established brands just to save 20GBP (which, as shown and in the long run, is not a significant save). Brand loyalty? Maybe. But at least I have a decent shaver and I know exactly what to count from it.
*edited – about the battery*
I thought it might be useful to report how long a full charge lasted. I’ve been using the shaver every other day. First shave was on 10th of October. On the 7th November, the battery level indicator was flashing red since the minute I started it. It was sufficient for a full clean shave, without having to rush. When I finished, it still had some battery left, but I plugged it to the recharger. Therefore, a full charge allowed me to have a total of 15 clean shaves. I believe it is advertised the battery should last for 60 minutes, which is about right if not a bit better (I’d reckon it takes me 4 to 5 minutes for a full clean shave).