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Review of the Gillette Fusion ProGlide & ProGlide Power Razors
by Robert E. Calem on June 19, 2014
Razors featuring blade cartridges that pivot up and down on a vertical axis have been standard fare since Gillette invented the category in 1977 with the launch of its Atra men’s razor. Now, many, many brands — including Gillette and Schick — offer a wide variety of razors with pivoting cartridges, for both men and women, and the competition among razor blades has moved on to new features, including the number of blades in those cartridges and esoteric elements, such as the formulation of moisturizing strips built into the cartridges.
But razors have never matched the range of motion of high–end electric shavers from brands such as Braun and Panasonic, which have long offered heads (fitted with blades beneath outer foils) that move in all directions: up and down vertically, up and down horizontally, and side–to–side.
This important difference between razors and shavers has become much less distinct this month, however, with the launch of two new razors from Gillette that offer nearly the full range of articulation of a high–end shaver: updated versions of the company’s current high–end models, the Fusion ProGlide and AAA–battery–powered Fusion ProGlide Power.
Outfitted with new “FlexBall Technology,” the razors feature a movable ball in the handle that lets the vertically pivoting razor blade cartridge also rotate up left or right on an arc.
Gillette says the greater range of motion puts the blades in constant contact with the skin, resulting in a closer shave than was possible with prior–generation Fusion ProGlide razors. And to test the assertion, I recently requested and received samples of both the old and new models — power and manual, with and without FlexBall Technology — then pitted each against its counterpart to tackle a two–days stubble accumulation.
My conclusion: The new FlexBall Technology makes shaving safer as well as easier and more comfortable. Although it won't necessarily result in a closer shave, it’s an upgrade well worth the low cost of admission, and I strongly recommend these new razors to any man who hasn't made the move from a razor to a shaver.
Power is Better
Shaving through the transition from my lower face to below my jawbone and chin, and onto my neck, was where the FlexBall Technology benefited me most, eliminating the pulling and tugging I felt with the current generation Fusion ProGlide razors, and vastly reducing the risk of cutting my skin along the way.
The ProGlide Power with FlexBall Technology performed best. Its battery–powered handle vibrates the blade cartridge, which helps to stand up the whiskers and prepare them for cutting. In addition, the blade designed for the Power model includes an additional “comb” at the leading edge, which lifts and arranges the whiskers before the blades slice through them.
Feeling my face after each shave, it seemed to me that both Power models shaved closer than their non–power counterparts, and the razors with FlexBall Technology shaved nominally closer than those without.
Most significant, I found that the ProGlide Power with FlexBall Technology was also much more comfortable to hold than the prior–generation ProGlide Power. The FlexBall design separates the cartridge from the handle, so vibrations are only minimally transmitted from the cartridge to the handle. By contrast, there’s no such separation with the older model, which vibrated much more intensely in my hand.
Any razor is only as good as the blades that go on it, of course, and here Gillette has not made any changes. The new Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology razors utilize the same Fusion ProGlide cartridges that Gillette has already been selling for use with the prior–generation models. (It’s worth noting that the cartridges are interchangeable; the better, comb–equipped, ProGlide Power cartridges can be fitted to the non–power handle.)
Stroke style makes a difference, too
To be sure, there’s no difference between a razor with or without FlexBall Technology if you’re only shaving in a straight line. The benefits of the innovation emerge when you shave in a curve — which may require changing your own shaving style.
An unusual video by Gillette (see below) shows how it’s possible to use the FlexBall Technology all over the face and neck in a single stroke that maximizes curves.
Pricing and Availability
Prices for the Fusion ProGlide Power with FlexBall Technology is $10.99 on Amazon for a razor with one included blade cartridge and an included AAA battery.
Prices for the non–power Fusion ProGlide with FlexBall Technology start at $11.49 on Amazon for a razor with two included cartridges.
Discussion 
the free floating blade prevents the holder from controlling its position, thereby allowing it to gouge and cut your face more often than a fixed blade razor.
The answer is maybe. While I find the Gillette brand to be dependable, the longevity of the product is my main concern. It’s a good razor, but the replacement cartridges are far from been cheap. In fact I own one, and I also have my own old fashion cut throat razor.
The Gillette is perfect for times when you have limited time, while my traditional razor is ideal for those special occasions when I want the most comfortable close shave and have time to spare.
Great advertising but your razor doesn’t compare to the Hydro 5 razor.
We found it had very strong shaving performance in our testing and it has been very highly rated by purchasers on Amazon as well (higher than the Hydro 5).
I used your razor for a month and tried 2 blades. I never got as close a shave as I do with the Hydro 5. It took twice as long to get a poorer shave. A big thumbs down for the Fusion.
I totally agree with Bob, I have been using the “fusion powerglide now for 8 weeks my findings are:
A very sharp blade for 10 days then goes down hill quick.
Does not last as long as the Hydro 5.
These blades may be the thinest Gillette have made but that does not give for a better shave.
The lubricating strip only masks the poor shave and would benifit from being able to pivot back out the way as per the Hydro.
Finally at over £3 a blade refill is way over priced.
I am returning to the Hydro 5.
Hello
When are you doing a comparison of hair trimmers and clippers?
Used to use these contraptions, but not anymore. A little over a year ago, I got into wet shaving, old school mug and brush and a box of double-edged razors. And a number of interesting and vintage older razors of course. Far superior to this ‘high-tech’ nonsense. The reason I switched? I knew I was being had by these Mad Men, 48 bucks for a pack of 8 5-blade razors?. I bought 3 vintage razor for that amount of money and the blades are 15 to 25 cents each, good for a week of shaving. Stop being a victim of BS advertising men and shave they way your Grampa did. And just to add a side note to this stuff—if you are a black male or have very curly hair, this is the way you should shave if you want to prevent ingrown hairs. The 5 blade crap is making it much worse for you.
I recently bought one at Real Canadian Super store
using a five dollar off coupon. I figured I was getting a razor with two refills as stated on package not so theives give you one refill and one in razor so in reality your paying $15.89 for a razor with one refill nothing but consumer fraud will never buy another Gillette product again got run around from A-holes on PH number on packaging!
The motor and drive must of been designed VW since it works only once with batteries. The shave is great when it works, other than that it’s just another razor.
I usually am a Gillette Fusion shaver but I tried the Schick Hydro 5 out of curiosity. The first shave missed a lot of spots and worse, it gave my neck a lot of irritation resulting in razor bumps. Gillette is the best.
I started shaving with Gillette Blue Blades, back in 1953, and have owned almost the entire gamut of Gillette hand razors over the years, except the latest articulated.
They all shave the same, except that lately, I found out that the blades are not meant for anyone with a 3-day growth; so I shave without the power option and it does a better job than just gliding over the beard with a buzz.
Some Gillette will invent a blade for REAL men and not just those with a bit of peach fuzz on the face.
From Alexander Pataki on June 21, 2014 :: 3:02 am
As a Greek, I have a very coarse beard I have to tackle and speak from experience when I say all these “technological breakthroughs” that the companies say will revolutionize shaving as we know it are so much marketing smoke and mirrors. Cleaver, high-tech sounding names like “Mach 3” or “Fusion” are slapped on to make them appear cutting-edge (pun intended!) I wish we could see the comparisons on the funding for the Research and Development, versus the Marketing divisions of these companies! While I’m sure this is a perfectly good razor, men have been shaving for thousands of years- aerospace and nuclear technology isn’t really needed!
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