Review Summary
Pros: very close shaves, premium metal build, powerful motor, more comfortable than other double foil shavers, excellent battery life, cordless and corded operation
Cons: not waterproof, only works well on short hair, no charging stand, pricey
The BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 (FXFS2) is a simple and straightforward electric shaver designed for a sole purpose — to cut hair as close to the skin as possible.
For that, it features a pair of very thin foil screens and a powerful motor driving the blades.
The result should be one of the closest shaves you can get with an electric razor.
In this review of the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 (FXFS2) we’ll find out if it can actually deliver on those claims (without any major compromises).
I’ll also be comparing it to other similar foil shavers that are quite popular among barbers and professionals.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Table of Contents
Features overview
The BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 (also known as FXFS2 or FXFS2G for the gold model) is a double foil shaver, ideal for blending skin fades but also for shaving facial hair, your head or around the hairline.
The PRO range from BaByliss is officially geared towards professionals, but home users like us can make great use of the products as well.
The shaver I got for the review (FXFS2G) is part of the GOLDFX Collection and as the name suggests, it comes in this striking high gloss gold finish.
Apart from the double foil shaver, the collection includes other tools for cutting hair and grooming, like hair clippers, trimmers or hair dryers, all available in the same gold trim.
Side note: there’s also a BaBylissPRO FOILFX01 single foil shaver. This review will however only focus on the double foil shaver, the FOILFX02 (FXFS2).
With that out of the way, let’s now take a swift look at the main features of this shaver.
1. Double foil shaving head
As mentioned above, the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 has a cutting system comprised of two standard foil elements.
That’s basically a pair of very thin perforated metal screens with two blades that oscillate behind them and cut the hairs that poke through the holes.
But unlike regular foil shavers, the FOILFX02 has them arranged in a staggered fashion, allowing you more flexibility and precision depending on which area you’re shaving.
For example, when holding the shaver at an angle both foils will come in contact with the skin.
This is ideal when shaving large areas like the cheeks or the back of the head.
Similarly, when holding the shaver perpendicular to the skin, only the top foil will touch the skin.
This is useful when shaving a tight spot like below the nose or when you need more precision.
For example, you would do that when blending a skin fade or when shaving close to your beard line.
We’ve seen this staggered arrangement of the cutting elements with other foil shavers preferred by barbers, like the Andis ProFoil Titanium or the Wahl 5 star Finale.
Towards the end, I will be comparing the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 to the Andis ProFoil and the Wahl Finale as well.
2. Metal construction
While not a feature per se, I think it’s worth mentioning that the FOILFX02 has a metal body, including the protective cap.
This gives it a premium look and feel and sets it apart from the other two similar shavers mentioned above.
3. Corded and cordless use
The FOILFX02 is fitted with a large rechargeable NiMh battery that can provide up to 3 hours of cordless use.
That is really impressive and puts it way ahead of the competition in this regard.
Moreover, the shaver will also work with the cord plugged in.
The charger takes between 100 and 240 volts, so you’ll be able to use it anywhere in the world (with a simple plug adapter).
4. Powerful rotary motor
The BaBylissPRO is fitted with a torquey 11000 rpm motor. This should provide plenty of cutting power even when shaving a coarse beard.
I will be covering this in detail in the performance section of the review.
The BaBylissPRO FXFS2 is not unfortunately waterproof, which is a bummer as you won’t be able to rinse it clean.
Then again, none of the other professional double foil shavers are waterproof.
Build quality and ergonomics
This BaBylissPRO shaver is built like a tank.
It’s large, heavy, sturdy and blingy, especially in this glossy gold colorway.
The aluminum feels oddly cold and pleasant in the hand.
In comparison, the Andis ProFoil seems hollow, lightweight and plasticky.
The body of the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 doesn’t have any plastic or rubber inserts, it’s all metal and I personally think it’s awesome.
The only plastic part is the foil frame (even though it looks like metal).
I’m not exactly sure about the gold color though, I think some of the other trims would be more to my liking, especially the matte white or the grey one.
But if you want it to stand out, go with the gold one (FXFS2G).
Also, the gold plating seems to be thick and of high quality and hopefully it will stay that way.
I will be updating the review if my FOILFX02 will begin to tarnish or peel.
But so far the quality seems to be on point.
Let’s now take a closer look at the shaver.
I normally don’t pay much attention to the protective cap, but this one deserves a mention.
It’s heavy, made out of metal and snaps securely on the shaver with a very satisfying click.
It doesn’t fit both ways as on one side it has a small notch to clear the foil release button.
On the opposite side we have the power button which is in fact a slider. You must push it up in order to turn the shaver on.
When in place, the protective cap also acts as a travel lock since the power slider bumps into it and can’t be turned on by accident.
The charging port is located at the very bottom and right next to it there’s a small LED indicator for the battery status.
Removing the foil frame for cleaning is very straightforward — you just press the round button on the side, then lift the foil gently from the button side.
Once removed, it will reveal the two inner blades that do the actual cutting.
The foils appear to be of good quality, very thin, but not brittle.
Time will tell however how reliable they are. The foils of the Wahl Finale for example tend to crack pretty quickly, hopefully these will fare better.
While the shaving head itself is fixed, the foils do move independently.
The range of motion is however pretty limited and you must press pretty hard in order to move them.
During actual use, you will never apply this kind of pressure.
As far as ergonomics go, for a shaver this large and heavy and with no rubberized panels, the FOILFX02 is pretty good actually.
The metal itself is grippy enough and I didn’t have any major issues during use.
The BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 weighs 338 grams (11.92 oz) with the cap on and 274 grams (9.66 oz) without it, so it’s pretty chunky.
In comparison, the Andis ProFoil weighs a measly 134 grams (4.72 oz).
You may feel the extra weight of the BaBylissPRO FXFS2G during a long session — for example if you shave your head, especially the backside as you must hold it in a pretty awkward way.
Overall the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 (FXFS2G) scores high for build quality, mainly thanks to its all-metal body.
On the flip side, it’s not the most lightweight shaver out there.
Included accessories
Here’s what you’ll be getting with the BaByliss PRO FOILFX02/FXFS2G (GOLDFX collection):
- Double foil shaver (with metal protective cap)
- Cleaning brush
- Charger
- Pouch
- User manual (English, Spanish, French)
- Stickers
The included bundle is borderline decent.
In my opinion, at this price point, a charging stand should have been included (the much cheaper Andis Profoil Lithium Plus Titanium comes with one).
The stand is particularly useful for barbers as an easy way to always have the shaver charged and ready for use.
And speaking of barbers, you’ll also find some BaByliss PRO stickers for your mirror if you’re into that.
The carrying pouch is textile and it’s only good enough to prevent scratches, smudges and dust from covering the shiny metal shaver.
It doesn’t offer any serious protection against mechanical shocks, so you will need a third-party case for that.
My unit was bought from the USA, so the charger came with a USA plug. If you’re getting it from Europe, the charger will have an EU plug.
Battery life and charging
The BaByliss PRO FOILFX02 is fitted with a beefy rechargeable battery that provides up to 3 hours of cordless use.
While I’ve never been able to completely drain the battery as I prefer to always have at least 30% of charge in my shavers, I think the 3 hours claim is pretty much on point.
And even if you’re out of battery mid-session, you can continue using the shaver with the cord plugged in.
Charging a larger battery also takes longer, so you’ll usually have to wait around 3 hours to charge it from 0 to 100%.
There’s only a single LED on the bottom of the BaByliss FOILFX02 that flashes blue when the shaver is charging.
The manufacturer also recommends charging the battery for 3 hours before using the shaver for the first time.
You should be getting the maximum battery performance after 3 charging cycles.
In conclusion, the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 scores really high in the battery life department with a very solid 3-hour runtime and the ability to use the shaver with the cord plugged in.
Shaving performance
Let’s now see how good the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 is in the real world. Great battery life and sturdy construction don’t really matter if it can’t provide a decent shave.
Luckily, the FOILFX02 is quite impressive for a shaver of this type.
Not everything about the way it shaves is perfect though, so I’ll address the negatives as well.
But let’s start with the positives first.
The closeness of the shave
By far the most remarkable aspect of this BaBylissPRO double foil shaver (and the main reason to buy it) has to be the closeness.
I can confidently say that it’s among the best shavers I’ve ever used for a close dry shave.
The very thin foils, along with the powerful motor and the tight tolerance between the cutters and the foils allow it to cut the hair really close to the skin.
And that’s probably what you’re looking for when buying this type of electric razor.
Whether you’re planning on using it only on your face/neck or on the head as well, you won’t be disappointed.
When used dry on short facial hair, it shaves just as close as a Panasonic Arc 5 and Arc 6.
I found that applying a pre-shave lotion will make it even better and a bit more forgiving as well.
Granted, using a quality shaving cream will give the above-mentioned Panasonic razors the edge, but for shaving dry, I actually think the BaBylissPRO is at least as good in terms of closeness.
That is the case regardless if you use it to shave facial hair, blend a skin fade or shave your head.
It’s one of the reasons why the FXFS2G is so popular among barbers.
I’ve been cutting my hair myself for the past couple of years and I’ve used a variety of foil shavers to get a clean skin fade.
This BaBylissPRO works really well for that, although I would have preferred slightly narrower foils.
You can see that the pair of foils on this shaver are quite wide, so it’s not the nimblest, especially when blending the bald line.
But other than that, it works a treat.
When blending a fade I only use the corner of the top foil, tapping lightly as the FOILFX02 will shave anything at skin level and ruin the fade.
A Series 9 or 9 Pro is a bit more forgiving in that regard even if you’re sloppier.
Also, the foils are a lot narrower and even if the shaving head of the Series 9 is bigger, you can use only the uppermost foil for blending.
The Series 9 however, while more comfortable, doesn’t manage to shave quite as close as the BaByliss PRO FOILFX02.
Because it cuts the hair so close, the FOILFX02 will work great as a head shaver, but again, the hair must be short in order to get the best results.
Comfort
One of the reasons why I managed to get such a close shave is that the FOILFX02 is also reasonably comfortable.
And I say that because usually, these foil shavers (like the Andis ProFoil or the Wahl Finale) are quite aggressive and harsh.
After testing all of them, the BaBylissPRO double foil shaver turned out to be more comfortable than the rest and still cut the hair just as close.
The key is not to press the shaver too hard because you will get a nasty razor burn. That is particularly important when shaving the neck or the back of the head.
It’s nowhere near as forgiving as a Braun Series 9 for example if you apply too much pressure.
And you really don’t have to, just let the shaver do the work.
Another important aspect for getting a comfortable shave with FOILFX02 is the length of the hair.
Precisely, the hair must be short. The manufacturer recommends 1/32 of an inch, which is really short.
I tried shaving a 3-day beard and it was not very pleasant.
I constantly got some pinching and stinging and because I also had to use multiple strokes for a clean shave, I got some razor burn on my neck.
So if you want to use the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 as your main shaver (for the face), only consider it if you normally shave often, preferably daily or every other day.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, using a good pre-shave lotion will make this shaver even more comfortable and more effective at cutting the hairs with fewer strokes.
Lubricating the cutters (with clipper oil or a spray lubricant) will be beneficial and also reduce the wear and the heat.
And speaking of it, the foils get warm after a longer session but not to the point of becoming uncomfortable (that might change as the foils and blades wear out).
But using it on short hair with the lightest pressure will be the most important thing for getting a reasonably comfortable shave with the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02.
That said, even if it’s more comfortable than its main competitors from Andis and Wahl, I wouldn’t say the FOILFX02 is suitable for users with sensitive skin.
You’ll be better off with a Braun shaver even if it means trading off a bit of closeness.
Shaving longer facial hair
As hinted earlier, the BaBylissPRO double foil shaver will only work well on short facial hair.
Trying to shave a 3-day beard or more will likely result in a poor experience.
Your shave will take a long time as the cutting system of the FOILFX02 is really basic (two micro-foils) and catching longer or flat-lying hairs will require a lot of passes.
It’s even worse if your hair grows in different directions.
For example, almost all the hairs on my neck stay completely flat on the skin and have different grains.
As a result, shaving with the FOILFX02 after 3 days of growth was really bad.
I had to follow up with another shaver and clean the hairs that were left behind. On top of that, I also got a rash from doing all those extra passes with the BaBylissPRO.
This is hardly a surprise as this shaver was not designed to cut long facial hair.
I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular in that regard and can’t really fault the shaver for that. Just shave more often and everything will be fine.
If that’s not an option, definitely consider an electric shaver that fares better with longer/flat-lying hairs.
Noise
Just like any other foil shaver, the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 is loud.
In fact, it’s among the loudest I’ve ever used.
There’s also a distinct and crisp crunch when cutting the hairs, especially if you have a coarser beard.
To be honest, noise is an intrinsic downside of all electric foil razors.
Only rotary shavers are noticeably quieter, but those aren’t really a viable alternative to the FOILFX02 and its intended use.
It’s the same with rotary head shavers like the Balder Pro or the Skull Shaver Pitbull.
Cleaning and maintenance
Let’s now see what it takes to clean the BaBylissPRO double foil shaver and keep it in top shape.
I’ve been reviewing electric razors for 10 years and whenever I see one that isn’t waterproof, I immediately think that cleaning it will be more difficult and fiddly.
And that’s because cleaning a shaver with water (and a bit of liquid soap) is by far the easiest and most effective method.
Unfortunately, the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 is not waterproof, so we’ll have to alter our usual cleaning routine.
As we’ve seen, this shaver manages to cut the hair really close to the skin which in turn produces a lot of very fine hair dust.
Most of it remains trapped inside the foil head, but quite a bit ends up on your forearm and on the outside of the shaver as well.
And in this gold trim, it’s really noticeable.
Once I finish shaving, I turn the shaver off and remove the foil frame.
I tap the frame lightly on the sink to shake off some of the hair clippings trapped inside, then blow over it a few times.
With the small brush, I also remove the hair dust on the inside of the foil head, but I only use it on the inner housing, never directly on the foils as those can get damaged very easily.
It’s also ok to give the foil head (while detached from the shaver) a rinse under the tap — the manufacturer actually recommends this explicitly.
However, that’s the only part you can clean with water.
I then proceed to clean the rest of the shaver.
The metal plate on top of the shaver that surrounds the two struts driving the cutters is an area that collects a lot of fine hair clippings.
I use the brush to remove most of them, but I do not brush the cutters for the same reason why I don’t brush the foils.
I just don’t want to take any risk of damaging them. If you do want to clean the cutters with the brush, make sure to be very gentle and only brush with the direction of the blades, never across them (longitudinally).
I wipe the outside of the shaver with a cloth (microfiber) and this also gets rid of the smudges on the glossy surface.
If you rinse the foil frame under the tap, make sure to shake off the water and let it air dry detached from the shaver.
That’s pretty much my cleaning routine for the BaBylissPRO double foil shaver.
It takes a bit longer and isn’t as effective as rinsing the whole shaver with water and soap.
Unfortunately, since it’s not waterproof, this is the best compromise I’ve found.
Lubrication
Apart from cleaning the FOILFX02 shaver regularly, you should also make sure the cutting parts are properly lubricated.
This is very important with shavers that have really thin foils like the BaBylissPRO.
I think lubricating the cutters twice a week should suffice and ensure optimal performance while also reducing friction and heat.
I recommend a clipper oil like the ones from Wahl or Oster, but any light mineral oil will work fine.
Alternatively, a spray lubricant for electric shavers or clippers is just as effective.
In fact, it could be even better since some of them (like the Remington Shaver Saver) also clean the parts.
I spray the two inner blades, but also the inside of the foils, then put the foil head back on the shaver and turn it on to distribute the lubricant evenly.
After that, I remove the foil and let everything dry before using the shaver. This is only necessary when using a spray lubricant (no need to let it dry if you use clipper oil).
Replacement parts availability
The pair of blades and the foil head of the BaBylissPRO FXFS2 will probably need to be changed more often compared to the ones of a typical foil shaver.
And that’s because the cutters rub right against the foils for that really close shave and the foils themselves are very thin, so they’ll wear out faster.
The manufacturer doesn’t explicitly mention an interval for replacing these parts, but given my experience with other similar shavers from different brands, we’re probably looking at 6 to 12 months.
It’s recommended to replace both the inner blades and the foil head in order to get the most out of the new parts.
You can only buy them as a set and the price isn’t exactly cheap considering it’s just a standard double foil cutting system.
It’s nowhere near as complex as the head of a high-end Braun or Panasonic shaver.
You’ll sometimes find the cutters and foil head combos listed as FXRF2, FXRF2G (gold) or FXRF2RG depending on the color.
You have the option to buy the foil frame in the same color as your shaver (for example FXRF2G in yellow gold), but you can also mix and match them.
Apart from the color, the parts themselves are identical.
Changing them is pretty straightforward, but you do have to be careful as the foils are very sensitive and the blades quite sharp.
Wrapup — Should you buy the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02?
Overall, for its intended purpose, the BaBylissPRO FXFS2 double foil shaver is excellent.
It cuts the hair very close to the skin without being overly aggressive. In fact, it’s better in that regard than what the competition has to offer.
As long as you don’t press the foils too hard into the skin, most users should be perfectly fine shaving with it.
That said, if you plan on using the FXFS2 as your main shaver (for facial hair), you should consider that it only performs well on short stubble.
So I would strongly suggest looking for an alternative if you shave every 3 days for example as the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 will struggle to catch longer or flat-lying hairs.
It’s a great tool for barbers or for men who cut their own hair (for skin fades) or shave their head.
As mentioned earlier, it shaves really close and is adequately comfortable.
The build quality feels premium and solid and the battery life is excellent.
If you’re a barber, I think the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 is one of the best options out there.
The reliability of the foils also seems to be better compared to Wahl which is notorious for having brittle foils, but that remains to be seen as I continue using it.
So the main cons of the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 are its limited use cases (only works well on short hair, be it on the face, neck or head) and the price.
It isn’t exactly cheap for a basic double foil shaver, but then again it comes with a very strong motor, solid metal build and a massive battery.
That said, let’s also check out some alternatives.
Alternatives
The first obvious option would be the Andis ProFoil Lithium Titanium Shaver (17150 or TS-1).
This is arguably the most popular shaver of this type (double staggered foils) and that’s mainly due to its much lower price.
Andis ProFoil vs BaBylissPRO FOILFX02
The Andis ProFoil comes in a less impressive plastic body, and almost feels hollow when held in hand compared to the BaBylissPRO, but it can still take a beating.
In my experience using both, the Andis ProFoil shaves just as close as the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02, but is not as comfortable.
The ProFoil is less forgiving and it will give you a nasty razor burn or even some tiny nicks if you press too hard, especially on the neck and on the back of the head.
I do like that it weighs less and makes it more comfortable to shave the back of your head.
The battery life is nowhere near as good compared to the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02, but the ProFoil is still able to provide a respectable one hour of cordless use.
And just like the FOILFX02, you can also plug the cord in and continue shaving.
Tip: if you’re a barber, get the Andis ProFoil Plus Titanium (17200) instead of the regular ProFoil. It has a very grippy rubber sleeve and a handy charging stand and costs only slightly more.
For home users, these features don’t really make a big difference, but for a professional, they’re really nice to have.
Apart from the shaver itself, the replacement blades + foil head are also cheaper for the Andis ProFoil compared to the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02.
So the ProFoil is a worthy cheaper alternative to the FOILFX02, offering better value for money.
I would still go with the BaBylissPRO for the more comfortable shave and larger battery, but that’s just personal preference.
Another crowd favorite is the Wahl 5 star Finale double foil shaver.
Wahl Finale vs BaBylissPRO FOILFX02
This Wahl shaver is extremely similar to the Andis in terms of performance, build quality, proportions and (lack of) versatility, being again only suitable for short hair.
Where it does edge ahead is the battery life, the Finale being able to run cordlessly for more than 90 minutes.
It usually costs less than the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02, but the ProFoil is even cheaper.
The Wahl Finale shaves just as close as the FOILFX02, but again, the comfort is not quite as good.
In my opinion, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the FOILFX02, the Andis ProFoil is generally a better deal.
Over to you now: What was your experience with the BaBylissPRO double foil shaver? If you have any other questions, make sure to leave a comment below.
First of all, I really love your site!
Second
I mostely shave my head with electric razors, as for the face – I prefer DE/SE (old style)
If I want to shave my head the closest possible, as much as can
Something that will look as if I did it with a razor blade, whatever it is wet or dry shave
What will you suggest?
The Braun 9 series pro
The Arc 6 from Panasonic
Or this one?
I shave daily, each morning, so my hair is really short, but I don’t want any “shadow”, I want me head to look as “bald” as possible
Oh, and forget to say, price isn’t an issue, just want the crossest possible shave today and electric shaver can offer (for my head)
Hi,
Thank you for your comment, glad you found the information useful.
I’ll try to share what I think about each of them and hopefully you’ll be able to decide which one would suit you the best.
The Series 9 Pro is by far the most enjoyable to use and will also be the fastest (the time it takes to complete a head shave) because the cutting elements have a greater range of motion and the flexing of the head really helps. This is ideal when shaving a spherical and bony surface like the skull. That said, the weakness of this shaver is the closeness. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still adequate and good enough for most, but the other ones will shave a bit closer which I understand is the most important aspect for you.
For a close shave, the Panasonic Arc 5 and 6 (both shave equally close) or the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 are the ones to get. Both have their own pros and cons though.
In case of the Arc 5 and 6, you can also shave wet which can improve the closeness even more and make them more comfortable. I find them not quite as forgiving as the S9 Pro, but still more comfortable than the BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 when used dry. So if you have a sensitive scalp, going for an Arc 5 or 6 and a quality shaving cream could be a good option. Also, I’m able to finish a session faster with the S9 Pro because it’s more forgiving (so faster strokes) and the 4 cutters are more flexible and conform easier to the shave of the head.
The BaBylissPRO FOILFX02 will give you the closest dry shave of them all, comparable to a wet shave with the Arc 5/6. You cannot use it with shaving cream though, that’s one of the negatives. Another one would be that it will take you longer to shave your head with the BaBylissPRO compared to the S9 Pro or even the Panasonic. It only has two basic foils with limited range of motion, so it will take some extra time and effort to complete the shave.
I think the choice should be between the Panasonic shavers or the BaBylissPRO. I think the latter has a slight advantage when it comes to the closeness of a dry shave and the fantastic battery life, but for everything else (comfort, versatility, speed, wet/dry use), the Panasonic shavers have the edge.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Great! thanks for the help!
I usually use a nice pre + a good shaving cream/soap with my brush
So, for this combo, that help me improve the comfortable of the shave, I guess the Panasonic is the way to go?
And how well/close does it shave? do you think you can get as good as a blade with them? is there anything out there that is both “comfortable”, easy to use, fast and give you a very close shave?
You are very welcome. The Arc 5 + shaving cream (a thin layer works best, properly hydrated) will give you the best chance of getting a shave similar to what you would get from a razor blade. Make sure you take your time and do not press excessively if you’ve never used an electric shaver on your head and don’t know exactly how well the skin will take it.
There really isn’t a perfect product that gets everything right — you’ll usually have to make some tweaks (like using shaving creams) or a compromise.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I agree with Ovidiu that the Panasonic is the best option when it comes to closeness. I have them all (Panasonic, BabylissPro, Braun & Philips Prestige) and I must say that the blades on the BabylissPro deteriorate much faster than any other razor and you start to notice razor burn and nicks after only a couple of months use. So keep that in mind since you shave your head daily Oz. Panasonic on the other hand has no issue in this regard and the blades give premium close shaves for at least a year with no deterioration whatsoever. I have also noticed that the Panasonic actually shaves closer than the BabylissPro (or any other shaver) when shaving my head and I only shave dry. The foils and blades on the Panasonic are much more premium when compared to the BabylissPro.
I would say that Braun aced the comfort of the shave, while Panasonic aced the closeness of the shave, & Philips aced shaving longer hairs.
Andrey, thanks so much for taking the time to share this — it’s great to have some feedback on the reliability of the BabylissPro foils. I was really hoping they’ll last longer compared to the notoriously brittle Wahl and Andis foils. I agree that the shaving system on Panasonic is superior to anything by a mile. Even the Series 9 head looks cheap in comparison, although I can’t fault the comfort — Braun is in a different league in that regard.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
I also cut my hair myself. I started many years ago but it was until very recently during the last 2 years that I’ve been doing complex cuts.
I came back to the world of shavers since last year. I was absent for 5 or 6 years in which I used to grow my beard and was using only used clippers, trimmers and straight razors.
My first sahver was a Philips Norelco, it was not the best but it was enough for my first years of growing a beard. By the time I rember that I tried one of these barber style shaver and it was much closer the shave than the obtained with the Norelco, but the fouls didn’t last long enough.
Then I moved to the Panasonic Arc 4 that I used for many years and that shaver is still working very well, I gave it to my father and he is happy with it.
Last year the first white hairs started to grow on my face and I decided to stop styling a beard. I don’t know how it’s gonna be by the age of 40, but by now I tend to prefer to look younger and those white hairs that just appered last year don’t look well.
So I bought one year ago the Panasonic Arc 5 the aluminum edition and I’m very happy with it. However I think it would be good to have a new shaver and I’m between the Andis resurge and the Babyliss fx2 silver.
I like better the Andis resurge, however, the look is more like the home use shavers instead of the professional. Both shavers seems good and useful for a good shave, but I want my next shaver mainly for my head. Sometimes I do a fade and I use the Arc 5 for this, but sometimes I have my hair a bit longer, but still I need the cleaner look of a very detailed line on my neck.
Do you have any experience with the Andis resurge?
Considering that the Babyliss is made in China, do you thing is sturdy enough?
Hi Mauricio,
I am yet to use the Andis Resurge, so I cannot comment on that particular model. But the closeness should be very similar to the barber-style shavers, including the ProFoil and FX2. One advantage of the Resurge over those two is that it’s waterproof and can be rinsed with water, I really miss that when using any of the double foil shavers I have. But it is indeed more like a standard everyday shaver for the face and it even has a slit trimmer for longer hairs. In my opinion it won’t be ideal for skin fades, but it will work nevertheless.
If the wet/dry part is not a must-have, you might as well consider the Andis ProFoil. While it’s a bit more aggressive than the FX2 and you need to be more careful when shaving the back of the neck, it is much cheaper than the FX2 and much lighter. And that really matters, at least for me. I also give myself a skin fade every two weeks and I prefer the ProFoil for that very reason, it allows for more control and my hand doesn’t fatigue at all.
I would also say that the slimmer head and staggered foils make it more suitable for that compared to an Arc 5 which I’ve also used for skin fades.
As for the made in China part, I wouldn’t worry, almost all of today’s shavers are made there, but the differences in quality can be massive. That said, the FX2 is really sturdy but also heavy. If you’re a barber and cut other people’s hair it probably won’t bother you, but for self-haircuts, I would prefer the ProFoil or the Wahl Finale. The Finale is more comfortable than the ProFoil, but maybe not quite as close shaving as the ProFoil (minor differences anyway). I find the FX2 identical to the Wahl (closeness, comfort).
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Well, for me the Babyliss is the closest electric shaver. I have a Panasonic Arc and had the Andis, which are both nice. With the Panasonic I have to do more passes to get the closest shave. I saw a video on Youtube with a barber using the Braun Series 9 on a customer and he followed that with the Babyliss, which audibly cut hair that the Braun missed. I haven’t had irritation or premature blade wear with the Babyliss. Also, I’m a head shaver and like the Babyliss enough to sing its praises as the best electric that I’ve used. Also the battery life is the longest. Also, there are a number of barbers on Youtube that say the Babyliss is overall the best foil shaver.They say the Braun is the most comfortable, but not the closest shave. Of course, I’m only sharing my personal experience (and YouTube research), as everyone is different. Sorry to see that everyone hasn’t had the positive experiences that I’ve enjoyed!
Hi,
Many thanks for the comment. I must say that I agree, it really shaves extremely close. I also use a Series 9 Pro for the back of my head and sides (skin fade) and the BaByliss, as well as the Andis and the Wahl Finale can still cut the remaining stubble. The BaByliss is definitely not as comfortable as the Braun, but better than the Andis. The Wahl shaver is surprisingly comfortable, very similar to the BaBylissPRO, but the build quality and the foil which seems so brittle are definitely not as good.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hi
Good review. Have you reviewed babyliss fx03 foil shaver or the rebel style craft?
Thanks
Hi Liyad,
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated. I have not tried them yet, only the previous FX trimmer that I use on a regular basis. But I expect the FX3 to be at least as good. It’s really powerful and if it’s zero-gapped correctly, it cuts really close. Of course it’s still trimmer, not a shaver, so it’s meant to be used differently.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Ovidiu,
I came across your reviews while trying to figure out which shaver to buy after my BaBylissPRO died… as in, it just quit working… after only 9 months of use. Although they come with a 2-year warranty, their customer service number gets you only as far as a looped recording (no matter what time of day or day of the week you call), and emails to Conair (apparently their parent company) have thus far gone unanswered.
I found your review of the FOILFX02 to be spot-on. While it wasn’t the most comfortable foil shaver (two days growth was as much pulling as I could tolerate), it DID shave as close as any blade.
Considering your reviews, I’m leaning toward replacing the BaBylissPRO with a Series 9, though still undecided on which “cc” model.
So before I plunk down $300+, has anyone out there had any experiences… good or bad… in dealing with Braun customer service (e.g., warranty claims, etc.)? It would be good know if there’s someone answering calls BEFORE I make the purchase this time.
Much appreciated,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your comment, much appreciated.
I’m sorry your BaBylissPRO broke prematurely. Have you tried contacting the store where you purchased it? At least where I live, large online and retail stores deal with warranty issues and the end-user never really has to reach out to the service centers. Getting only 9 months of use from a rather expensive shaver is unacceptable. I personally never had any experience with BaByliss customer support, but I’ve heard it’s pretty bad.
Braun support on the other hand is a lot better. In fact, I’d say it’s the best out of the big three brands, with Philips coming in second. Panasonic is unfortunately really bad outside of Japan.
If you go for the Series 9 I think you’ll find it a lot more forgiving, enjoyable and comfortable, but it will not shave quite as close as the FOILFX. But I think it’s a good compromise as this will be your main shaver and can handle short and longer stubble.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu
Hey Ovidiu,
Thanks for the informative reviews you’re doing a great job!
Just wondering how good of a job does it do on the neck with flat lying hairs? I know you mentioned it does a great job on stubble but does it completely bald out the area?
Also, I have just bought (https://www.wahl.co.uk/product/single-foil-shaver/)
and it doesn’t really get too close in the shave as I can still see very small stubble like hairs. Do you have any tips on what to look out for in terms of the RPM and cutting length? for example the Wahl finale(7500rpm-1100rpm) has a cutting length on 0.1mm and the single foil shaver (7500rpm) has a cutting length of 0.05mm but I can still see notable stubble.
Thanks!
Hi,
Thanks for the comment, glad you found the site useful.
I truly doubt the single-foil Wahl shaver can get closer than the double-foil Finale despite the hair length in the specs sheet. I own and use the Finale and that one shaves extremely close, it can completely bald out an area. I use it on the sides of my head and the back of the neck when giving myself a skin fade and I don’t see how a shaver can get closer than that since I can’t really feel anything. The Foilfx02 above gets just as close, but costs a whole lot more. The Andis ProFoil again provides a similar closeness, but for some reason, it’s not as comfortable as the Wahl Finale or the Foilfx02.
All these shavers are pretty bad however at cutting flat-lying hairs on the neck. When used daily that likely won’t be a problem, but otherwise the foils will just go over the flat hairs without cathing most of them.
Sincerely,
Ovidiu