TPOB Mini Skull is a compact, handy and energized foil electric shaver that doesn’t crank up your cost of initial purchase or foil replacement.
This device offers better features and performance than the price tag, making it a fan-favorite since its release.
Whether you want to carry it inside your pocket or apply a swift, dry shave within just 5 minutes, the Mini Skull is capable of stretching these boundaries with ease.
In my TPOB Mini Skull shaver review, you’re going to uncover the truth behind this unique razor and be able to consider whether it’s worth your money!
Specifications: TPOB Mini Skull
The technical specifications section in this TPOB review highlights the key features and numeric values of what this foil electric shaver is capable of doing.
- Dimensions: 10 x 4.7 x 1.9 cm
- Weight: 3.2 Ounces
- Colors: 4 (Slime, Black, Candy, White)
- Accessories: 2
- No. of Foils: 1
- Foil Type: Gold Anti Allergy
- Motor Power: 9,000 RPM
- Waterproof: No
- LED Indicator: Yes
- Battery Runtime: Around 40 Minutes
- Rapid Charging: Yes
- Charging Port: USB Type-C
Pros & Cons
Before we get into the intricate details, let me briefly showcase the strong elements of the TPOB Mini Skull along with what I think could have been a bit better.
What I Like
- Striking colors bring in a sense of buoyancy
- Matte plastic shell for enhanced grip
- Compact size makes traveling easier
- Safe foils despite affordable price
- Highly powerful motor for every hair texture
- Easy charging and sufficient battery life
Areas for Improvement
- Single foil compromises efficiency
- Punchy colors might not attract everyone
- Requires unique grip pattern due to compact shape
Verdict
TPOB Mini Skull is unique in many regards – from its compact size, singular skin-safe foil design, high torque motor to its matte finish, enhanced grip and more importantly, the affordable price point. Those looking for a cheap foil shaver that’s portable, Mini Skull is the correct choice for that.
Unboxing the TPOB Mini Skull
TPOB claims that their Mini Skull package resembles that of an iPhone box, it’s not entirely false since the package is rigid yet smooth at the same time.
It slides the top lid upward to reveal the razor resting inside the cradle, wrapped into a thin layer of polythene.
Once you remove the shaver, you would be able to pull out the plastic holder as well to unveil the cleaning brush and charging cord.
Since the box is as compact as the razor itself, it can be used as a long-term storage case and it’s going to protect the device from external damage.
What’s Inside the Box: TPOB Mini Skull Shaver, One USB Type-C Cable, One Cleaning Brush, User Manual.
TPOB Mini Skull: Standout Features
In this section, I’ll be talking about the exceptional features the TPOB Mini Skull brings forth and a thorough assessment is required to know its worth!
Feature Highlights
- Better grip ensured by the shape and matte texture
- 3 ounce weight makes maneuvering convenient
- Singular, anti-allergy foil caters to sensitive skin
- Krunch blades are sharp for any hair type
- 9,000 RPM motor power makes Mini Skull a beast
- Type-C cable renders charging an easy affair
Striking & Vibrant Aesthetics
As I’ve mentioned earlier, TPOB Mini Skull offers four color choices and I’ve picked the ‘slime’ variant solely because of the vibrant aesthetics.
The entire housing is very compact and contains both sharp and blunted edges for firm and comfortable grip.
This slime green tone is complemented with black and white as the brand logo is placed as an emboss at the middle of the handle.
Also, as the green lid comes off, you’ll locate the shaver head draped in black, hosting the golden foil element.
Matte Finish Grip
The entirety of the housing is covered with a matte finish, as TPOB covers the plastic housing with an ergonomic touch.
This, along with the unique shape of the device make grip a confidence-boosting element for the Mini Skull razor.
While I wouldn’t call the Mini Skull one of the finest electric shavers in the industry, yet the grip pattern is inviting for consumers of diverse groups.
Holding your fingers in the shape of a ‘U’ is the way to go about it and tilting your wrist generates the most effective cutting actions.
Lasting Build Quality
Despite using cheap plastic and average foil elements for the construction to cut down on cost, the Mini Skull is more durable than what it’s worth.
I’ve had no issues of mechanical failure or external damage – however I did take good care of my device from time to time.
Since it’s lightweight, you may get away with accidental drops but making a habit out of it can compromise the electronic components inside, or damage the foil.
With regular maintenance and sheer bit of luck, TPOB Mini Skull might remain vigilant in your arsenal for the coming 3-5 years!
Ultra Lightweight
TPOB Mini Skull weighs only 3.2 ounces – the most lightweight foil shaver I’ve ever tested or purchased so far into my journey.
What does this weight class imply? This suggests that your fingers won’t get tired of the shaving operation, it’s easy to store or carry and elderly men would benefit due to their frail strength.
Since it’s a single-foil electric razor, you can realize that the shaving efficiency is bound to be limited, thus demanding additional glides as you go.
The lighter weight is a lifesaver in this regard, sparing you any sort of fatigue regardless of the duration of your shaving session.
Gold Anti-Allergy Single Foil
So, time for the important discussion – how well-equipped is the foil barrel in terms of shaving across diverse hair textures and sensitive skin?
I’d have to say I expected worse, but surprisingly enough – the single-foil design works pretty good!
The oval vents through the foil do manage to grab short stubble, but that’s restricted to a two-day growth.
It can work on even coarse hair and the anti-allergy coating in gold protects your sensitive parts like neck from irritation or redness.
Sharp Krunch Blades Underneath
One of the reasons TPOB Mini Skull outperforms most other foil shavers around its price range is the sharp Krunch Blades underneath the foil.
You can get access to these blades by pulling off the shaver head. These stainless steel blades are capable of trimming thick hair texture with ease.
But the clause stands – the beard length must be very limited and longer hairs are either inefficiently fed through the foil or clog the blades for effective cutting actions.
This blade system is called Krunch blades because of the crispy noise it produces while shaving, making it more satisfying to perform a shaving operation using the Mini Skull.
9,000 RPM Motor?
Video: TPOB Mini Skull Motor Power
When I saw the features on TPOB website, I didn’t believe this tiny thing could produce 9,000 RPM of motor power.
But upon receiving the product, once I turned it on using the power slider on the side, it was mesmerizing to hear the loud sound!
I’m not absolutely certain if the torque actually goes up to 9,000 RPM, but it’s still powerful enough to work on almost all textures or coarseness of facial hair!
And for such a powerful unit, it doesn’t vibrate much or the sound pattern isn’t unnerving – so I must hand it to TPOB for devising such a delicate build!
40-Minute Battery Life
Another compromise TPOB made is in its battery department, despite being li-ion the Mini Skull runs for 40 minutes with a full charge.
It’s partially due to the compact housing making room for a smaller battery unit and another reason is the powerful motor drawing out the charge faster than anticipated.
40 minutes is the complete runtime but you’d realistically get approximately 30 minutes of ideal shaving action and the final 10 dragging or pulling on the beard with lower torque.
There’s a green LED light telling you about charge status, but doesn’t explicitly display where you are in terms of battery level.
The USB Type-C cable is a lifesaver since it allows you to recharge the device using your phone’s charger, making traveling with it a convenient affair!
My Experience with TPOB Mini Skull
I’ve extensively utilized the TPOB Mini Skull electric razor and I feel obligated to share my experience for the broader grooming community in this section.
Experience Highlights
- Closeness is better than what it’s worth
- Quite comfortable considering single-foil design
- Efficiency is limited
- Versatile use on beard and neck
- Great for traveling due to weight and charging port
- New groomers will benefit from easy to use method
- Convenient cleaning since it’s dry shave only device
How Close Does TPOB Shave?
Photo: TPOB Mini Skull Shaving Outcome
The answer is – much closer than you had anticipated. After seeing the shaving outcome, I could vouch that it’s been done using a double-foil electric shaver.
Still, you’re not going to get the closeness like a Braun Series 9 (obviously), but it’s still great for those who shave on a daily basis.
If measured on a man with a fine beard, it’s going to generate a close shave that lasts for the coming six hours before giving a hint of a 5 o’clock shadow.
I’m sold to be honest, getting this closeness out of a cheap electric shaver makes it a bargain for those who prefer a neat look.
Level of Shaving Comfort
Photo: TPOB Mini Skull on Skin
I guess the gold coating of an anti-allergy layer does help to keep the cutting actions gentle on your skin, even if it’s the sensitive bits we’re talking about.
To make the operation even smoother, you can apply a delicate amount of shaving lotion as it cools down your skin and adds a protective layer.
TPOB Mini Skull is a dry-only electric shaver, therefore you’re not allowed to apply anything like shaving gel or cream.
I’m yet to see any redness or irritation post-shave, also no tugs, bumps or pulls experienced on a maximum of 2-day stubble growth.
Shaving Efficiency
As the Mini Skull has a single foil to do all your bidding, it requires more time to scrub all the stubble off of your face.
But the bi-directional tilt on the pressure-sensitive foil and its narrow shape helps it adapt to your facial contours effectively.
As per neck shaving goes, it’s better at grabbing those flat lying hair but the number of glides still count more than those devices with a higher foil number.
On average, it takes me around 10 minutes to clean out my stubble, add another 5 minutes if your beard has a thick texture.
Is TPOB Versatile?
TPOB Mini Skull is versatile in the sense that it can shave both your face and your neck region with similar cutting efficiency and closeness.
I wouldn’t call it a barber-grade device due to its certain limitations, but the device has more to offer than it seems in hindsight.
Teenagers and beginners can utilize the versatility along with the ease of use, which render Mini Skull a perfect purchase for first-time electric shaving.
It’s very simple in terms of usage and no prior experience or expertise on foil shaving is required from the consumer’s end.
Travel and New Groomer-Friendly
Using the TPOB Mini Skull is as easy as it gets – turn it on and press it against your skin to initiate the cutting strokes – no more skill is required.
Also, it’s a fantastic travel companion – you can carry it inside your pocket like a mobile phone and utilize it in the washroom or even in your car.
Another great thing about the device when it comes to traveling is its USB Type-C compatibility, allowing the device to be recharged using a power bank.
The plastic lid keeps the foil element safe once it’s stored. Additionally, the power button being a slider instead of a button removes all sorts of stress during your travel days.
Cleaning & Maintenance
In order to clean the TPOB Mini Skull, all you need is to bring out your cleaning brush and remove the shaver head by pulling it gently.
Then, use the brush to slide out the stray hair from the chamber beneath the foil. It’s better to keep a brush with a longer handle to make things easier.
Same formula can be applied around the Krunch blades for cleaning. Also, using a cloth rag can help you mop up the hair particles that are invisible to the naked eye.
As per maintenance goes, lubricating the foil and blades with a couple drops of lubricating agent or a spray helps the device remain in top-notch form!
How I Tested the TPOB Mini Skull?
My assessment of the TPOB Mini Skull began with reading first-hand reviews by the owners as well as users of this device from the internet.
Then, I ran my series of tests based upon a set benchmark for all foil razors – ranging between durability tests and practical shaving on various skin and hair types.
I pushed the TPOB device to its absolute limit and it was surprising to find how much it could endure despite being an affordable instrument.
These findings helped me write up this TPOB review and most of the data derive from a broader experience to pose this objective opinion.
Who is TPOB Mini Skull For?
I can think of a few consumer groups who might find the TPOB Mini Skull to be their ideal grooming tool for the upcoming years.
- Consumers on a Budget: Those who are looking for a cheap electric shaver, TPOB gives you better value for money than any other razor at this price point.
- Elderly Consumers: Commonly elderly men with fragile health or any other conditions like Alzheimer’s find it difficult to maneuver a hefty electric razor. TPOB is a lifesaver since it’s very light and easy to grab on to.
- Beginners: New groomers in the field of electric shaving will benefit from the easy to use style of the Mini Skull shaver.
- Little Time for Shaving: A lot of the consumers out there, mostly professionals, find very limited time to perform a full blown shaving operation. TPOB comes in handy in such scenarios, letting it carry anywhere to perform a quick-shave.
TPOB Mini Skull vs Manscaped Handyman: Duel of Single-Foil Shaving
Since TPOB is a single-foil electric razor, there’s a matching device on the market with similar design but offers more dynamic features to the consumers.
It’s the Manscaped ‘The Handyman’ shaver, one of the pioneering devices on the face of the earth.
These two belong to two completely different price ranges, yet there are some elements that are worth comparing side by side.
This segment on TPOB vs Manscaped will give you access to a detailed comparative analysis and aid you in your purchase decision!
Similarities
- Both contain singular foil
- Made to be travel-friendly
- Lightweight and ergonomics
- Offers USB Type-C charging
- Single LED to inform battery status
Despite the price gap, there are tons of similarities between the TPOB Mini Skull and Mascaped Handyman, including the singular foil design.
Apart from that, both are lightweight and contain ergonomic shape for better grip and the foil lid allows for easy traveling.
You can use your mobile’s charger with USB Type-C to recharge both the devices, and one LED light tells you about charging level, battery status and need of recharging in similar fashion.
Differences
- Handyman has an additional cutting element
- Anti-allergy coatings are different
- Handyman comes with IPX7 waterproof rating, TPOB is dry-only
- TPOB motor has the edge over Handyman
- Handyman has a better battery life
- TPOB shaves on stubble growth of 2 days, Handyman can do on 5
- Closeness is similar, so is comfort
- Mini Skull is easier to use
However similar some of the elements may be, there are defining factors that set apart the TPOB and Manscaped foil shavers.
Starting off, the Handyman has an additional cutting element called the ‘leveler’, which is a trimmer that removes longer stubble at the initial stage.
This lets Handyman shave on a 5-day stubble whereas TPOB is restricted to perform on a maximum of 2-day growth.
Also, Mini Skull has taken the avenue of a gold coating to offer gentle cutting actions, on the contrary Handyman equips Manscaped’s trademark SkinSafe technology.
Surprisingly, TPOB Mini Skull holds the edge over Handyman in terms of motor power, making it more effective on coarse and thick beard texture.
Yet, this doesn’t give TPOB the advantage of shaving closeness or skin safety – the duo generate similar results but the consumer bases are much different due to the stubble limitation.
Manscaped has the last laugh as it offers a 60 minute runtime opposing TPOB’s 40 minute battery life, and the former device is IPX7 waterproof rated, meaning wet shaves are possible.
But TPOB here is a dry-only electric shaver and its maintenance routine is restricted to brush cleaning only. Handyman is fully flexible for shower shaves and rinses for a thorough cleansing.
Key Takeaway: TPOB Mini Skull and Mascaped Handyman are two differently priced foil razors, Handyman definitely being the more feature-heavy and dynamic one.
Those who are on a budget and can do with a dry shaver that can only be cleaned by brushing and be used for regular shaving, Mini Skull should be your answer.
Otherwise, consumers preferring wet shaves or grooming on longer stubble once or twice a week, want to go a longer stretch without recharging the device – Handyman fits this description ideally.
FAQ
At this point of the TPOB Mini Skull review, I’ll answer some questions concerning groomers who are interested or have already purchased this handy shaving device.
Q: Is the TPOB Mini Skull Shaver suitable for both head and face?
Ans: Some consumers claim that they have tried using the Mini Skull to shave their scalp but from my experience, it’s not very helpful. Mostly due to the narrow single foil design, it becomes more challenging to cover the entire head region and even if you manage to complete your head shaving, the duration is going to be a very long one.
Q: Can I use the Mini Skull while it’s charging?
Ans: No, you cannot use the TPOB Mini Skull while it’s charging. Despite being a dry-only electric razor, I don’t think it’s wise to use a budget-end device while it’s connected to a source of electricity for your own safety.
Q: How often should I replace the blades?
Ans: The replacement frequency depends on your shaving routine, type and coarseness of your beard. In general, you may want to replace the entire shaving head (including foils and blades) every 6 to 12 months. Once the device starts pulling on your hair or leaves a patch of redness, you’ll know it’s your reminder for replacement.
Concluding Remarks
As I close my discussion of the TPOB Mini Skull review article, I’d like to highlight a few important factors regarding this electric razor.
Yes, the single-foil does bottleneck this instrument and minimizes efficiency to a certain extent, but it compensates for that in other ways.
For one, you’re allowed to shave at the tight or narrow areas like the neck or mustache more effectively, and the powerful motor counteracts the foil limitation.
For another, a wide group of consumers will benefit from its design, and not to mention, the price point of this tool is a highly inviting one!
