Philips Norelco 7200 is one of the public favorite rotary electric razors and a large portion of that charm comes from its comfort on sensitive skin.
With this new and improved design, you’re going to get more cutting actions with the introduction of a dual-ring design and a better adaptability of the neck.
There are elements that I like a lot and certain aspects let me down a little – both of these must be addressed to let you make an informed purchase decision.
So time to board the Philips Norelco 7200 review where I’ll dissect everything about this shaver and offer you unseen insights!
Specifications: Philips Norelco Shaver 7200
The technical specifications for the Norelco 7200 rotary shaver should give you a basic understanding of this razor’s capabilities.
- Dimensions: 17 x 4 x 4.6 cm
- Weight: 7 Ounces
- Colors: 2 (Black, Dark Chrome)
- Charging Stand: No
- Rotary Foil Type: Double-ring
- Foil Element: Nano SkinGlide Coating
- Blade Type: 45 SteelPrecision Blades
- AI Features: SenseIQ, Motion-sensing Technology
- Waterproof: IPX7 Rated
- LED Display: Advanced
- Battery Runtime: 60 Minutes
- Pop-up Trimmer: Yes
Pros & Cons
Let’s learn the basic positive and negative aspects of the Norelco 7200 to gain a better idea about this suave rotary shaver!
What I Like
- Rotary rings are comfortable on sensitive skin
- Easy to hold and maneuver around
- Shaving sessions take less than 10 minutes
- Can shave in wet mode and be washed after
- Long battery life
- Advanced AI features for improved experience
Areas for Improvement
- Isn’t as close as manual razors
- Shaving with foam will require frequent rinsing
- Rotary head too large for mustache area
- No charging adapter included in the package
Verdict
Norelco 7200 is a pioneering rotary shaver with dual rotary rings, enhanced cutting efficiency using increased number of cutting elements, and an overall protection for sensitive skin during both wet and dry shaving.
Unboxing the Philips Norelco 7200
The Norelco 7200 comes in a durable paper box which opens up like the door from the large, flat side.
It’s a significant improvement over the previous Norelco shavers and the brand has done a great job moving away from the older, clunky box designs.
Once the box is opened, you’ll find the Norelco 7200 shaver resting gently inside its crevice, surrounded by the charging cable, cleaning brush and a foil guard in separate polypacks.
If you separately purchase a charging stand, the box accommodates its storage place, so the entire package can be continuously used.
What’s Inside the Box: Norelco 7200 Shaver, Cleaning Brush, Charging Cable, Foil Guard, User Manual.
Philips Norelco 7200: Standout Features
The features that stand out for the Philips Norelco 7200 define the true caliber of this unique electric razor, one of the finest there is to exist!
Feature Highlights
- Sleek handle with firm grip level
- Lasting build quality for both foils and housing
- Alluring aesthetics and lightweight design
- Sharp blades powered by quiet motor
- SkinGlide foils cater to sensitive skin
- Flexible neck adapts to facial contours
- Fast charging & informative LED display
- Superior Design & Grip
Norelco 7200 shaver features a very slim handle design and the rubber textures on either side makes it far more convenient to hold on to, even during wet shaves.
The power button placement is ideal and it’s well-cleared from the general thumb rest spot, so no accidental presses occur at any given point.
My variant is toned in dark chrome and you’ll get the option to purchase the alternate black housing model.
Up top, the arrow icon suggests the release button to unfold the rotary head for cleaning and maintenance duties.
Lasting Build Quality
Despite being such a sleek and lightweight device, Norelco 7200 has a robust build and it’s meant to last for many years in the future.
The foil rings can withstand harsh grinding, so do the microbeads with minimal wear as opposed to older devices.
Still, the replacement schedule depends heavily on your usage and it repeats between 6-18 months from one person to another.
Because no matter what, blade dullness and foil wear is bound to occur, but it’s less frequent than general benchmark – so that’s cost-efficiency for you!
Lightweight & Higher Maneuverability
7 ounces is around the standard weight for a premium electric razor, unless of course there are exceptions like the BabylissPRO FoilFX02 that’s built with a metal body.
Due to the plastic and rubber build and lighter motor unit, Norelco 7200 is very easy to move around your face.
Both elderly men and teenagers can use it comfortably for the entire shaving session and the hand or fingers will not get tired.
This weight class lets you hold the device at any given angle and allows you to carry while traveling – a great feat in my opinion!
Ultra-Sharp Precision Blades
The number of blades beneath the foil rings has been increased to 45 in the Norelco 7200. These blades are made in Europe with stainless steel.
Philips titles them SteelPrecision blades and these are actually very sharp – enough to remove a diverse array of hair thickness.
Also, if you maintain the device properly, these self-sharpening blades remain agile for a very long time.
These blades rapidly oscillate to generate up to 90,000 cutting actions per minute and allow for closer shaves than before.
Quiet Motor with AI Features
Video: Norelco 7200 Motor Power
Generally rotary razors don’t require a higher torque due to their technology and that’s why Philips was able to fabricate this quiet motor for the Norelco 7200 razor.
This motor is linear in terms of manual control, but the sensors inform the AI built inside to read the beard density 250 times per second and re-adjusts motor power.
Due to this, the motor will produce exactly the amount of power required for your particular beard situation and it aids in a few different ways.
Men with feeble hair get less power while the thicker beard receives more – therefore the skin doesn’t receive a harsh treatment due to excessive cutting actions.
Skin Safe Double-Ring Foils
To enhance cutting efficiency, the foil rings in the Norelco 7200 contain a dual layer design. It grabs more facial hair with each stroke and the shaves tend to be closer than before.
Also, the newly redesigned 250,000 micro-tech beads per square cm are funnelled in such a way that directs hair toward the blade more effectively.
Furthermore, the Nano SkinGlide coating on each of the three foil plates arouses a sense of lubrication to glide 30% more smoothly.
This reduces skin irritation or redness in both wet and dry shaving situations, catering to consumers with sensitive skin.
Improved Flex Head
The fully flexible shaver head of the Norelco 7200 is capable of tilting in every direction and it’s marketed as the 360 degree flex head.
On top of that, each segment containing the foil rings are pressure sensitive and can accommodate your skin contour much better than before.
Pairing these two aspects of the shaver, I had little difficulty shaving my jawline or the neck area which used to be a struggle back in the day.
However, the head is still broad enough to place on the mustache but holding the flat side of the triangular head manages to get the job done.
Long Battery Life & Premium LED Display
Since the motor power is limited in the Norelco 7200, the battery life has been extended to last around 60 minutes with a full charge.
It’s a shame that there’s no USB Type-C port involved, instead you’ll have to make use of the traditional Norelco charging port.
If you’re interested, you can purchase a charging stand compatible with the Norelco 7300 shaver and it’ll work perfectly for any Norelco 7000 series device.
The large LED display shows tons of information including battery levels, shaving animation guide, maintenance reminder, automatic power adaptation feature and so on.
Additional Features
Stressing on the futuristic aspects of the Norelco 7200, you can pair it up with your mobile phone using the app recommended by the brand.
This pairing lets you learn and improve upon the circular animation that you must perform to effectively shave using a rotary razor of this caliber.
The app will show you how you’ve been animating using this shaver and the ways you could improve for a more convincing grooming session.
Finally, the cherry on top is the built-in pop-up trimmer at the back of the housing. While it’s great for lining up your sideburn or beard outline, this can’t replace the functions of a proper beard trimmer due to its manyfold limitations.
My Experience with Philips Norelco 7200
In this section, I’ll give you some practical insight of Norelco 7200 from my personal experience since I’ve extensively used this device to attain clean shaves.
Experience Highlights
- Much closer outcome than before, but not as close as foil razors
- Comfortable on neck region or overall sensitive skin
- Shaves fast and within 10 minutes
- There’s a learning curve to the rotary system
- Wet shaving is more comfortable than dry
- Cleaning is straightforward due to waterproof design
Shaving Outcome & Closeness
Photo: Norelco 7200 Shaving Outcome
I was actually impressed with how close the Norelco 7200 could get to my skin. Again, it’ll have its limitations against foil razors but the result is still good enough!
As per the shaving closeness goes, it feels like a couple hours of growth after shaving with a manual razor.
So with this sort of shaving, the ideal frequency would be to shave every day, or at the very least, every other day.
Those who require the neatest results may find it a little underwhelming, but wet shaves can mitigate that as it offers results a bit closer than dry.
Sensitive Skin Experience
Photo: Norelco 7200 on Sensitive Skin
My neck skin is highly sensitive and any shaver out of ordinary is sure to trigger irritation and redness, therefore I’m very picky about my razor choices.
However, the Norelco 7200 has caused no such issue and with wet shaves, I could even avoid the skin redness for good.
It’s better if you follow the shaving session up with a pre-shave routine as the cleaning and exfoliation removes risks of such undesired occurrences.
Even with pimples or any other skin conditions, Norelco 7200 thrives as the sensitive skin-friendly shaver due to its unique features!
How Fast Does it Shave?
My older rotary razors used to shave slower than the premium foil shavers but the tempo of Norelco 7200 has certainly come a long way since that.
If you’re relatively new to rotary shaving, dry shaves may take around 10 minutes and wet shaving could add 5-10 minutes more, depending on your routine.
But with expertise developed over time, you may even squeeze out a wet shave with only shaving lotion under 5 minutes each time.
Therefore, men who shave daily in the morning and have a very busy schedule can seek refuge in the comforts of this Norelco 7200 grooming experience!
Learning to Use the Norelco 7200
Video: Norelco 7200 Shaving Animation
Those who are using or going to use the Norelco 7200 for the first time without prior experience of using rotary razors, you might have to go through a learning curve.
This device demands you to rotate the shaver in circles on your face to generate the cutting actions.
It can seem tricky at first but turns out to be a straightforward affair once you’ve familiarized yourself with the system.
The AI feature in the shaver helps you out in this regard by studying your animations and showing how you could improve upon it.
Wet Shaving Experience
Photo: Norelco 7200 Wet Shaving Experience
My wet shaving experience has been more than pleasant when it comes to the Norelco 7200. The softened beard is efficiently cleaned using this instrument without leaving a trail of irritation.
You can utilize all sorts of shaving lotions including shaving foam, gel or even shaving oil. However, if your lotion is foamy, you might want to situate yourself beside a water source.
Because there’s a frequent necessity to rinse the shaver head as the blades get clogged by the foamy mess.
Otherwise, shave once, rinse, shave again for the best possible wet shaving outcome, and not to mention the level of unmatched comfort and closeness.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning the Norelco 7200 is effortless – you’ll need to undo the rotary head and wash everything you uncover.
For dry shaves, using a simple cleaning brush should do the trick. If you’ve obtained a cleaning station, overall maintenance becomes much easier.
As per manual maintenance, you’ll have to dry out your device after shaving. Then, apply a lubricating agent on the foil rings and the blades underneath.
This should be followed after every grooming operation and shouldn’t consume more than 5 minutes in total, excluding the drying time.
How I Tested the Philips Norelco 7200?
Well, I always test my products on the home-grown guinea pig I have (my younger brother) because he grows an envious amount of full-face stubble.
From time to time, I tend to use the shaver myself because personal experience is equally important to understand the true nature of a shaving device.
The Norelco 7200 has gone through extensive tests like wet & dry shaving, battery life, waterproof integrity, maintenance duration and so on.
My verdicts are based on all of these data combined and therefore my article isn’t simply a feature review – rather something more real and experiential.
Who is the Philips Norelco 7200 For?
From the back of my mind, I can mention a few categories of consumers who will find the best use of the Philips Norelco 7200 based on its price, quality and features.
Home Groomers in General: Those who regularly shave at home will find Norelco 7200 to be an ideal fit, although there are cheaper alternatives if you’re on a short budget.
Working Men: Professional men have very little time to spare for shaving and maintaining their grooming kit, thus Norelco 7200 ticks all the boxes of swift usage and easy cleaning.
Men with Sensitive Skin: This is a vital group of consumers because not a lot of electric shavers out there caters to sensitive skin, unlike a few products like the Norelco 7200.
Feeble or Younger Men: Finally, if you have difficulty maneuvering heavier electric razors around your face, the lightweight and sleek Norelco 7200 would solve this crisis once and for all.
I would recommend barbers too to obtain a Norelco 7200 to apply its prowess on the consumers with sensitive skin. While it can slow down the grooming progress a little, imagine the relief your clients will receive and it’ll make them want to come back for more!
Philips Norelco 7200 vs Norelco 7600: Which One is Better Value for Money?
A lot of the consumers out there are wondering whether upgrading to the Norelco 7600 is worth the investment.
To answer this, I’m presenting a comparative analysis on Philips Norelco 7200 vs 7600 as it’ll address every query and leave you with enough information for a verdict!
| Feature | Norelco 7200 | Norelco 7600 |
| Model No. | S7887/82 | S7886/84 |
| Rotary Foils | Dual-Ring Nano SkinGlide | Dual-Ring Nano SkinGlide |
| No. of Blades | 45 | 45 |
| Type of Blade | Precision Steel | Precision Steel |
| Travel Case | No | Yes |
| Cleaning Station | No | Yes |
| AI Feature | SenseIQ | SenseIQ |
| Battery Life | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
The price gap between the Norelco 7200 and Norelco 7600 is quite significant. Let’s see what the similarities and differences are and assess whether this price gap is justifiable.
Similarities
- Identical rotary foils and skin glide technology
- Same number of blades and blade material
- No difference in motor power or AI features
- Matching battery life of 60 minutes with a li-ion unit
As you can see, there are tons of similar aspects to both the Norelco 7200 and 7600, so feature-wise it’s not really an upgrade.
From the AI features to the blades, foil rings and traction elements, everything is identical in the two Series 7000 shavers.
Also, weight class and ergonomics mirror each other in the two rotary shavers, along with the zero difference in shaving experience.
Differences
- Norelco 7600 comes with a cleaning pod for easy maintenance
- It also includes a travel case for safe storage and traveling
With these two differences alone, I believe it’s not going to be a worthwhile purchase for those who don’t prioritize cleaning pods for automatic maintenance.
If you don’t already own a Norelco 7200, then you can consider buying the Norelco 7600 with the additional accessories.
It’s worth noting that Philips has priced the Norelco 7200 and the base variant of Norelco 7600 (without the cleaning pod and travel case) very similarly.
This means even Philips knows that there’s very little to differentiate between the two, the only varying factors are the cleaning pod and travel case – so pick according to your needs!
FAQ
This section answers some commonly asked questions related to Norelco 7200 review, thus answering it can help you out in many regards.
Q: Does the Philips Norelco 7200 shaver give a close shave as they advertise?
Ans: Surprisingly, yes! I’ve had my disappointments with rotary shaving closeness but the Norelco 7200 seems to have come a long way since then. It shaves almost as close as foil razors and leaves a smooth skin behind that lasts the entire day (depending on beard growth of course).
Q: How long does the Norelco 7200 take to fully charge?
Ans: For new Norelco 7200 shavers, it’s going to recharge within one hour due to the modern li-ion battery system. As the device ages, the charging time can crank up to around 90 minutes. Anything more than that should indicate a battery replacement. Also, there’s the feature of a 5-minute quick charge for one shave – be sure to utilize that if needed!
Q: How often do I need to replace the shaving heads?
Ans: The frequency of replacing the shaving heads varies on your beard type and shaving routine. Ideally, you’d want to replace the heads every 12 months, but it can vary between 6 to 18 months. The replacement head is a SH71 and can be purchased from Amazon, Philips’ official website or local vendors.
Final Thoughts
From our Norelco Shaver 7200 review, we managed to learn about its technical specifications along with the key features.
Also, my experience does shed further light from a realistic perspective which marketers tend to avoid in the hopes of increasing sales.
There’s very little to criticize on the product as I believe Philips actually has done a marvellous job in its design.
Is it worth the price? I believe so – there aren’t many quality shavers at this price range and definitely none that caters to sensitive skin the way Norelco 7200 does!
