I've spent way too much money on grooming gear. If you look under my bathroom cabinet right now, it’s a graveyard of cheap plastic trimmers that pulled my hair, died after three months, or required a different proprietary charger that I inevitably lost during a move. But then there’s the Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer. Honestly, it’s the one tool that actually stuck. It doesn't try to be fancy with Bluetooth apps or LED screens that tell you the weather. It just cuts hair. Really well.
Most guys get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. Do you go for the 3000 series? The 5000? Maybe the 7000 or the beefy 9000? It’s a mess of marketing jargon. But once you strip away the shiny boxes, you realize why these specific trimmers dominate the market. They use what Philips calls DualCut technology. Basically, the blades sharpen themselves as they work. They brush against each other, so they stay sharp for years. No oiling. No maintenance. Just raw, dependable power.
The Reality of the Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer Series
People often ask me which version they should actually buy. Look, the 7000 series is usually the sweet spot for most humans. It’s got a stainless steel frame that feels heavy in a good way—like a real tool, not a toy. You get about five hours of runtime. Think about that. You could shave your entire body, your neighbor's dog, and probably a small lawn before needing a plug.
The 3000 series is the budget king. It’s lighter, mostly plastic, and has a shorter battery life. It’s fine for a college dorm or a travel bag. But if you're serious about your face, the 7000 or 9000 is where the magic happens. The motor is noticeably punchier. It doesn't bog down when it hits a thick patch of beard.
I remember the first time I used a cheaper "all-in-one" from a random brand I found on a late-night Amazon spiral. It felt like it was trying to pluck my beard out by the roots. The Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer is different because the tolerances are tighter. The guards don't flex. That’s a huge deal. If a guard flexes while you’re pressing it against your cheek, you end up with a literal hole in your beard. Nobody wants that.
Why the Guards Actually Matter
Let’s talk about those little plastic combs. Most people ignore them until they lose the one they need. Philips color-codes them, which is a lifesaver when you're half-asleep at 7:00 AM. The black ones are for your beard, the gray ones are for your head, and the green ones are for your body.
But here is a pro tip: don't just stick to the labels. I use the 9mm hair guard on my beard when I want that "I've been living in the woods for a week but I still have a job" look. It works perfectly. The guards are reinforced with fiberglass. They won't bend or warp. This means your 3mm trim stays 3mm across your entire jawline.
Performance Under Pressure
I’ve taken my Multigroom 7000 on three different continents. It’s been dropped on tiled floors in London and forgotten in a humid bathroom in Bali. It still runs like the day I unboxed it. The lithium-ion battery is the hero here. It holds a charge for months. If you’re the type of person who forgets to plug things in—which is basically everyone—this is a godsend.
You also get the nose and ear trimmer attachment. It’s... fine. It’s not going to change your life, but it gets the job done without the terrifying "yank" that some rotary trimmers give you. The detail trimmer, though? That’s the sleeper hit. It’s narrow enough to clean up the line around your mustache or get that sharp edge behind your ears.
One thing people get wrong is thinking "all-in-one" means "master of none." Usually, that’s true. A Swiss Army knife is a bad saw and a mediocre knife. But the Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer defies that logic. Because the base motor is so strong, it powers each attachment effectively. Whether you’re buzzing your head or cleaning up your neck, it feels like a dedicated tool.
Maintenance and the "No Oil" Promise
Philips claims you never need to oil the blades. In the grooming world, that's a bold claim. Most barbers will tell you that if metal touches metal, you need lubrication.
However, the way these blades are designed—the DualCut system—really does seem to bypass the need for traditional maintenance. I’ve had mine for two years. I’ve never oiled it. It still cuts through my coarse hair without a single snag. You just rinse the head under the tap and you’re done. It’s simple.
The Downside Nobody Mentions
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s perfect. It’s not. The biggest gripe? The bag. Philips gives you this flimsy little drawstring pouch that is absolutely useless. You have twenty different attachments and one big bag. It’s like a junk drawer in your luggage. If you buy this, do yourself a favor and buy a cheap hardshell organizer case on the side.
Also, it’s not a foil shaver. If you want a baby-smooth, "just-shaved-with-a-Gillette" finish on your cheeks, this won't do it. The "shaver" attachment is small and honestly a bit of an afterthought. It’s meant for cleaning up small areas, not your whole face. Keep your dedicated electric shaver or your safety razor if you want that polished look. This tool is about length control and grooming.
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Comparing the Versions: What Should You Buy?
If you're looking at the lineup and your head is spinning, let's break it down simply.
The 3000 series is for the guy who shaves once a week and doesn't care about bells and whistles. It’s cheap, it works, but it feels cheap.
The 5000 series is the middle child. Better battery, more guards. It's "okay."
The 7000 series is the gold standard. It has the metal body and the 5-hour battery. This is the one I tell my friends to buy. It’s usually around $60, and it will last you five years easily.
The 9000 series is for the guy who wants everything. It usually comes with more specialized body grooming heads. If you're someone who grooms from the neck down regularly, the extra attachments in the 9000 are worth the premium.
Real World Use Cases
I’ve used the Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer for more than just my face. During the lockdowns, I—like everyone else—became a DIY barber. I used the extra-wide hair clipper attachment to give myself a fade. Was it professional? No. Was it better than looking like a shipwreck survivor? Absolutely. The power of the motor meant it didn't pull, which is the biggest fear when you're cutting your own hair in a mirror.
For body grooming, the guards are safe. I’ve used them on my chest and stomach without any nicks. The skin protector guards actually work. You don't have to be terrified of every pass.
Dealing With Thick Hair
If you have thick, curly, or coarse hair, you know the struggle. Most trimmers just quit. They slow down, the pitch of the motor changes to a sad whine, and then they stop. The 7000 series doesn't do that. It has enough torque to keep the blade speed consistent even when the hair is dense. This is the hallmark of a good trimmer. Consistency.
What about the "Prestige" model?
There is a "Multigroom 9000 Prestige" out there too. It’s beautiful. It’s all metal. It’s also significantly more expensive. Unless you just love the aesthetic of brushed aluminum, you aren't getting a significantly better shave than you get with the standard 7000. Save your money.
Actionable Tips for Better Grooming
To get the most out of your Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer, you need to change how you shave.
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- Dry is better: While many of these are "water-resistant," you will always get a more precise cut on dry hair. Water makes hair clump and heavy. Trim before you hop in the shower.
- Go against the grain: For the shortest stubble, move the trimmer against the direction of hair growth.
- Clean the head: After every use, pop the blade head off (it clicks right out) and blow out the hair. Even though it's "maintenance-free," a build-up of hair inside the motor housing will eventually slow it down.
- The 2-minute rule: If the battery is dead, a 2-minute quick charge will usually give you enough juice for one full trim. No more waiting an hour with half a beard.
Final Thoughts on the Multigroom
There are flashier trimmers on the market. There are ones that cost $200 and come in wooden boxes. But the Philips Norelco Multigroom All in One Trimmer remains the recommendation of almost every grooming expert for a reason. It’s the Toyota Camry of trimmers. It’s not a Ferrari, but it will start every single morning and get you where you need to go without any drama.
If you want a tool that replaces four other devices and doesn't require a degree in engineering to maintain, this is it. It’s simple, rugged, and effective. Just make sure you find a better way to store those guards than the included bag.
Next Steps for Your Grooming Routine
First, identify your primary need. If you are strictly a beard guy, the 7000 series is your best bet for durability and motor strength. If you are looking for a full-body solution, look for the 9000 series bundles that include the specialized "SkinProtect" blades. Once you have the device, start with a longer guard than you think you need. You can always take more off, but you can't put it back on. Focus on clearing the neck area first to define your beard shape, then use the detail attachments to clean up the mustache line and soul patch area for a sharp, intentional look.