Philips Multigroom 9000 Review: Better than Multigroom 7000?

There’s no utopia - you can’t have all the perfect things blended in together, all at once. Or maybe you just can do this once?

Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 has turned that fantasy of perfection into reality like a Swiss Army Knife - one device to trim your beard, clip your hair, manscape and more!

 From what I’ve experienced, it’s not a bloated advertisement tool, rather something very practical that actually delivers what it’s supposed to!

Once you start using it, you’ll get the grasp of why the grooming community refers to the Multigroom 9000 to be the ‘king’ of all trimmers!

Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, MG9510/60: Specs

Before we proceed with the details, let’s quickly go through its technical specifications to learn what we’ll be dealing with today.

• Dimensions: 16.6 × 3.6 × 2.9 cm
• Weight: 7.6 ounces
• Color Variants: 1 (Silver & Black)
• Housing Material: Premium Stainless Steel with Rubber Grip
• Main Blade: Self-sharpening Standard Blade
• Additional Blade Heads: 5
• Guard Attachments: 14
• Waterproof: IPX7
• Charging Method: USB-A Cable (No Adapter)
• Battery Runtime: 5-6 Hours (3 Hour Charge Time)
• Operation: Cordless Only
• Warranty (North America): 8-year Warranty (Excluding Blades/Guards)

Pros & Cons

Let me weigh in the pros and cons of the Multigroom 9000. It should set your expectations straight and give you an insight into how I feel about this device.

What I Like

• Highly versatile, all in one grooming device
• Built with material and durable enough to last a decade
• Blades are sharp and doesn’t require much maintenance
• BeardSense automates power output for the strong motor
• Fully waterproof, can be used inside shower
• Excessively long battery life

Areas for Improvement

• Trimmer blades are not zero-gapped
• Has a lot of accessories to keep track of
• No plugged-in use function

Verdict

Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 is the epitome of all-in-one grooming kit that’s user-friendly, intuitive and highly functional. With the carry case, you can store and carry everything in one place, making it a convenient multipurpose trimming device!

Unboxing the Philips Multigroom 9000

The arrived package wasn’t flimsy at all and inside the box, I found a travel pouch made with premium fabric that houses the Multigroom 9000 and all of its accessories.

When I unzipped the pouch, the attachments are assorted and covered by protective papers. The trimmer itself is stashed on the designated crevice with the trimmer blade attached.

Other than all the blade heads and guide combs (both adjustable and fixed for unique purposes), there’s also a charging cable without brick and a cleaning brush.

The overall feel of the kit translates to travel enthusiasts since it renders a compact and convenient set to carry around - it’s like carrying your entire grooming system into a compressed system! 

What’s Inside the Box: Multigroom 9000 Handle, 1 Trimmer Blade, 1 Clipper Blade, 1 Precision Trimmer Head, 1 Body Blade, 1 Nose Trimmer Head, 4 Adjustable Guards, 10 Fixed Guards, 1 USB-A Charging Cable, Cleaning Brush, User Manual.

Philips Multigroom 9000: Which Features Stand Out?

In this section, I’ll break down the standout features of the Norelco Multigroom 9000. It’ll help us understand what to expect from this remarkable kit.

Feature Highlights

• Weighs 7.6 ounces, offers good maneuverability
• Retains grip even under shower due to shape & rubber pads
• Trimmer blade is sharp for all types of facial hair
• Motor manages to power through coarse & textured hair
• 5 hour battery life with a 5-minute quick charge option
• IPX7 waterproof rated, includes all necessary guards

Metallic Aesthetics

Out of the box, Multigroom 9000 is going to give you the tactile feeling of a beard trimmer that’s completely different from the plastic ones you’re used to.

Its stainless steel shell radiates a premium aesthetic, making it even seem like a proper tool that’s balanced between heavy work and refined perfection.

The shiny silver exterior won’t give off any cheap feeling and the lighting does reflect graciously from its housing material, capturing attention from onlookers.

Sufficient Grip Points

Even though it might not seem like much, the Multigroom 9000 does indeed give you enough points of traction to keep it stuck to your fingers.

First of all, the metal exterior contains some subtle extrusions - small points to keep it firm against your skin.

To top that off, there’s a rubberized texture pad over the power button where you can place your thumb - and the whole system works together to provide traction even when the trimmer is soaking wet.

Everlasting Build Quality

I’ve had my Multigroom 9000 for almost a year now and it hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, or even external wear.

It’s true that I have tons of premium beard trimmers at my disposal, but probably this Multigroom has been the one I’ve mostly turned to.

And based on the robustness of the shell or every component provided, along with feedback from other first-hand users, I can solemnly vouch for its lasting build quality.

Average Weight - 7.6 Ounces

At my first attempt, the Multigroom 9000 did indeed feel slightly heavier than the plastic tools I’ve been using.

But after a few sessions, this slightly additional weight became a blessing of steadiness instead of becoming a liability. It doesn’t cramp your fingers or tire out your wrist.

Rather, you’re going to get added precision since the weight anchors the device down and lets you apply strokes with utmost perfection.

Sharp Stainless Steel Blades

Attached with the handle comes the main trimmer blade of this toolkit - the stainless steel self-sharpening component.

This 32 mm wide blade is indeed sharp and doesn’t tug or pull at any given point. Since it’s not zero-overlapped, there’s really no threat of accidental cuts.

Even through my coarse beard, this blade runs smoother than ever. The minimum cutting length you’re probably going to get is around 0.5 mm if you go in directly without guards.

5 Alternate Blades Included

Let me briefly go over the 5 other blade or cutting heads you’re going to find inside the 23-piece kit of Multigroom 9000.

I wouldn’t classify the Multigroom 9000 as a quality hair clipper because its hair blade isn’t as agile, nor efficient. The body blade on the other hand works like a charm, turning it into a perfectly capable manscaping device.

This blade is safe enough to be operated as a pubic hair trimmer, but for trimming your man jewels, I wouldn’t recommend it as a first choice.

Precision blade and foil head are basically for fine tuning. The former works great over tighter areas like the clearing around mustache or goatee region. The latter smooths out skin to create a stark beard contrast.

Note that neither of these two heads are capable of bulk grooming. They’re to be used over already trimmed and shortened beard bodies.

Unrelenting Motor (with BeardSense)

Philips doesn’t explicitly mention the torque on any of their Norelco trimmers, and they maintain their discretion with the Multigroom 9000 as well.

But from my tests and experience, this motor is capable of oscillating the trimmer and body blades to their fullest potential - all textures and densities of hair bow down to its performance.

And on top of that, Philips’ trademark BeardSense technology comes into action here to automatically regulate motor power based on the sensors and your hair condition to remove the threats of tugging.

Complete Kit with Accessories

Nothing can match the Multigroom 9000 in terms of versatility. You’ve seen the evidence with the blade heads and it’s further reinforced through the accessories.

As per length retention, almost all of the guards manage to do that successfully. The beard guards could be better if compared with other dedicated beard trimmers.

Hair combs are mostly for a broader idea of the lengths, and you’ll still struggle with efficiency if bulk removal is your goal.

Body combs have been efficient to pair up with the trimmer blade. It’s worth noting that these combs don’t really attach over the body blade, rather are meant for the trimmer head instead.

Due to the body blade being safe enough, I rarely utilize any of these combs with the trimmer head as I prefer an up-close, clean result, but you can apply this combination for your ball trimming duties (carefully, of course).

Waterproof Rating - IPX7

This is one of the most crucial aspects - the IPX7 waterproof rating. It implies you can rinse it at any given point, fully drenching the tool without the fear of leakage-induced damage.

While I generally don’t trim on damp beard or hair, body grooming or pubic hair trimming under the shower have certainly been convenient experiences due to this feature.

Also, the guards are washable in the same way. It truly speaks to the quality Philips has managed to ensure in its build quality.

6-Hour Battery Life

Another feature that I absolutely adore when it comes to the Multigroom 9000 is its battery life. From my tests and experiences, it lasts between 5-6 hours with a full charge.

For recharging, you’ll have to use a brick of your own to attach the USB-A cord. Recharging takes around 3 hours and it also offers a 5-minute quick charge feature.

This degree of battery life leads to charging the device somewhat once per month even with regular use - marking it an ideal choice for travel enthusiasts.

How was My Experience Using the Multigroom 9000?

This segment of the Philips Multigroom 9000 review is dedicated to articulating my experience of using this exquisite trimmer!

Experience Highlights

• SS housing makes it feel like an expensive tool - although the price is well-set
• BeardSense renders smooth glides over different hair situations
• Attachment switching has been smooth and pleasant, not to mention swift
• Most versatile tool I’ve ever owned
• Cleaning is mess free, maintenance is minimal
• Trimming Closeness - Beard, Hair, Body Blades

The beard blade leaves behind a tangible stubble, but does manage to bulk trim a longer beard. However, the guards aren’t equipped for anything longer than medium beard maintenance.

Hair or clipper blade lacks in efficiency of bulk trimming. However, it makes up for that by being a great secondary tool to fine tune a hairdo that doesn’t require bulk hair removal. Won’t recommend it for receding hairline maintenance though, solely because of efficiency.

The body blade is quite close, although it’s not going to match the outcomes of foil shavers or even old-school manual razors. It’s a compromise you have to make for safety.

Comfort on Skin for Each Blade

With direct skin to blade contact, the trimmer blade is indeed top notch. It doesn’t even trigger any arousal over the sensitive spots. A remarkable feat indeed.

Clipper blade as well has rounded blade edges to prevent nicks or cuts. Pressing down on the scalp directly hasn’t caused any issue for me.

Norelco’s body blade follows along the same principles - safety and comfort over all else. Makes the guards seem redundant unless you want a particularly lengthened result.

Grooming Efficiency

While we still are unable to uncover the motor’s maximum torque, this much I can tell you that it doesn’t bottleneck the efficiency.

Paired with BeardSense and seemingly higher rotation, the grooming processes are faster - maintaining their standard.

Especially, beard and body hair trimming feels like they’re over within a few minutes. Unless you’re trying something delicate or precise.

Hair grooming can take a while in case you want to craft an entire haircut using Multigroom 9000 and its clipper blade head.

How Versatile is the Multigroom 9000?

I really don’t think I have to reiterate Multigroom 9000’s versatility - from head to toe - one device has everything needed to cater to your hair.

And for this price, it’s truly a worthwhile investment. For the price and volume of one, you’re getting functionality in three major grooming areas one might need.

The cherry on top are the refinement heads like the precision or foil blade head. It even comes with combs for eyebrows - just think about that!

Wet Grooming Experience

If you’re operating on something over 1 mm using any of the guards, it might clog your comb and demand frequent rinses from you.

Lengths less than that might still beg for rinsing, but not as frequently. Grooming under the running water of the shower does indeed take this hassle away, and also looks after the following surface cleaning phase.

 IPX7 is a lifesaver in this regard. Even if you remove the blade and clean out the crevice underneath, it’s still fully solid and leak-proof.

Cleaning & Maintenance

You can guess how easy its cleaning might be - just remove the blade, rinse everything under the tap and you’re all good to go! The same is applicable for the guards too.

And with self-sharpening stainless steel blades, you really don’t need any lubrication applied externally. The blades retain their integrity, lasting longer than most trimmers and you can cut down on replacement costs in the long run.

 Make sure to mop up and fully dry out the trimmer and its blades before storage. It’s not prone to corrosion, but this added layer of maintenance further prolongs the lifespan of this Multigroom 9000.

How was the Multigroom 9000 Tested?

Testing this Norelco Multigroom 9000 included close inspections and trimming in different scenarios to reach a holistic verdict.

For example, daily beard trims, stubble shaping, long beard edging, full hair clipping, full body grooming - these were all performed to test its true potential and identify the limits.

 Additionally, running the same process inside the shower and rotating the accessories while at it informed the liberating factors as well as what I found to be a challenge.

After all sorts of tests and exchanging information from other consumers, I should proudly state that there was no overheating, no motor shutdown and a surprisingly long battery life were confirmed.

Who Should Consider Buying the Multigroom 9000?

I can think of quite a diverse group of consumers who might be interested in buying the Multigroom 9000. Let me give you a brief list, see if you fit the criteria.

• If you’re looking for a full kit - one purchase to solve all your grooming needs from body, beard to hair
• Those who are looking for a long-term investment into a durable device
• In case you value convenience like good battery life, full waterproofing and easy cleaning
•  Frequent travelers can make good use of the carry pouch kit system

Should any of these criteria match with your requirement, you should definitely look into the Multigroom 9000!

Philips Multigroom 9000 vs 7000: Should You Really Spend the Extra?

Grooming enthusiasts often ask me whether they should go for the Multigroom 9000 or should the identical Multigroom 7000 be good enough for them?

This comparative study will answer this question once and for all!

There’s so much similarity between the Multigroom 9000 and 7000 that going through those would simply be mere iterations of what I’ve just discussed so far.

Rather, let me focus on the differences that exist - only a total of four - so that you can consider whether to go for the pricier Multigroom 9000 or more cost-effective Multigroom 7000? 

Differences

• Multigroom 7000 doesn’t come with a dedicated body blade
• Multigroom 9000 has a more robust and convenient carry pouch
• Multigroom 7000 accessories less number of adjustable guards, also the quality is lacking
• Multigroom 7000 costs less

The blade heads in these two are actually identical, so much that you can swap around without noticing anything. The only thing that the Multigroom 7000 doesn’t have is the body blade.

From the package to the carry case that hosts everything inside, Multigroom 9000 has a more robust, durable and convenient one. Multigroom 7000 houses everything inside a plastic crevice and its carry pouch is cloth-made, thin bag. 

While Multigroom 7000 out-numbers Multigroom 9000 in accessories, the former doesn’t arouse confidence due to the quality. Also, it only has two adjustable beard guards whereas the Multigroom 9000 has four.

On that note, Multigroom 9000’s guards snap on and off easily, but cannot say the same for Multigroom 7000.

Lastly, Multigroom 7000 costs much less than the latest instalment of the series, Multigroom 9000. That’s a valid concern for many.

Key Takeaway: Buy the Multigroom 9000 if you need a full support, including body grooming. Also, it offers a better carry pouch for safe storage and traveling, accessories are better in quality and gives you a slight lead in battery life.

If body grooming or traveling is not your priority, or you don’t guide combs as frequently on your beard, you can easily settle for the less expensive Multigroom 7000 and receive identical results!

FAQ

There are quite a few FAQs that need addressing in case of the Philips Multigroom 9000, so let’s get through them before drawing the blinds!

Q: Does BeardSense make a noticeable difference in performance?

Ans: Well, kind of yes. You can definitely hear the shift in motor noise as the BeardSense kicks in and I’ve never had it tug or pull on my beard. So I reckon that is the definition of noticeable difference in performance.

Q: Can the Multigroom 9000 be used for clean fades and hair blends?

Ans: If you know your way around fixed-length blades, you might just be able to create some basic blades using the provided guide combs. But it’s not an easy thing to do, especially attaining symmetry. In case you want a proper fade or blend, I’d recommend getting a dedicated fading clipper.

Q: Is the Multigroom 9000 quiet or loud compared to other groomers?

Ans: Philips Multigroom 9000 is surprisingly quiet even when it’s mowing thick lawns. I’d place it less noisy than Wahl clippers, but it might feel louder than the low-torque, cheap Philips devices. The sound type is not a high-pitched buzz, rather a much soothing, low hum.

Q: Does the Multigroom 9000 overheat during long sessions?

Ans: No! Despite being a fully metallic trimming device, it remains warm but doesn’t really heat up. I’ve even had electric shavers with plastic shells that heat up more than the Multigroom 9000! So that’s definitely a unique feat, even when you’re performing prolonged grooming sessions.

Concluding Remarks

Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 is not just another trimming device that promises to deliver but fails - rather it’s an all-in-one tool living up to its promise!

From trimming, shaving to shaping - Multigroom 9000 handles all of it masterfully. I’d call it a long-term, multipurpose grooming investment for personal users.

If you’re someone who occasionally takes a snip at the mustache or trims bears once in two months - it’s certainly going to be an overkill.

But for those who don’t want the half of their washroom drawer to be filled with trimmers and accessories, the Multigroom 9000 certainly becomes the obvious choice for multipurpose use!