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- Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: What do you get for the money?
- Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How well does it shave?
- Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How easy is it to clean?
- Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How is the battery life?
- Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: Should you buy it?
- Solid build quality
- Waterproof for wet shaving
- Long warranty
- Not the most efficient shave
- Lacks of control over beard length
Wahl markets the Lifeproof Plus electric shaver as “practically indestructible”, despite it being a fairly traditional-looking electric shaver. The unit is encased in a sort of a shockproof suit of rubber armour with a no-frills flex foil shaving head, meaning it can withstand the odd tumble to the bathroom tile. While the Lifeproof Plus’ build quality might be robust, it’s really designed to offer a close shave and a lengthy battery life at a reasonable price.
Wahl certainly has a reputation for reliability, which is why their products are so often seen in professional barbershops. The asking price and long warranty make it a good choice for those who demand maximum value for money from every purchase.
Waterproof, simple to use and able to achieve a squeaky clean finish, the Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver offers a fast, dependable shaving experience without the cost or superfluous technical flourishes of some modern rivals.
Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: What do you get for the money?
The Wahl package is relatively sparse, perhaps basic, when compared to some of the halo products from Braun, Philips and Panasonic, which now come crammed with connected tech, automated cleaning docks and even battery life-extending travel cases.
For just £90, Wahl throws in the shaver itself, a spare foil and cutter head, a cleaning brush and blade oil, the required charger (for a standard domestic plug socket) and a soft storage bag for tucking everything away.
However, Wahl includes one of the lengthiest warranties of all the electric shaver brands, covering the device for up to five years – great for peace of mind, especially if you’ve had shaving units fail on you in the past.
Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How well does it shave?
The Wahl Lifeproof Plus does a great job of delivering a close and comfortable shave for those with shorter and finer facial hair. Its dual floating head system allows the flex foils to adjust to the contours of the face, minimising the risk of nicks and cuts, while a ‘Three Cut’ system ensures comprehensive hair capture, reducing the need for multiple passes and thereby decreasing skin irritation.
This shaving technology uses opposite moving cutters in a way that’s designed to trim more hairs in a single pass, meaning you won’t have to press too hard or run the shaver over sensitive areas several times – something that’s more likely to lead to razor burn, ingrown hairs or other nasty side effects. That said, although it’s plenty powerful, there’s no self-adjusting motor or Japanese-honed steel blades here, so those with coarse facial hair or bushier beards will probably have to spend longer ploughing through thicker patches.
Flip the unit over and there’s a slide-up precision trimmer for greater control over the length of your sideburns and other areas that you might want to sculpt. What’s more, the wet/dry versatility allows the shaver to be used with shaving foams, creams and oils. Or simply take it straight into the shower to tackle body hair, though it’s probably not best to point it towards the nether regions.
One of the only major downsides for me was the absence of any length adjustment accessories, such as guards or combs, which means this shaver is best suited for going for a full, clean shave, rather than that one- or two-day’s worth of stubble look.
Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How easy is it to clean?
Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the shaver’s fully waterproof design. Simply rinse the device under running water for quick cleaning. For more thorough maintenance, the foil and cutter can be removed to clear any trapped hair debris.
Regular cleaning, combined with using the provided blade oil, is suggested in the instruction manual in order to extend the shaver’s lifespan. But it does come with a back-up foil shaver head and a lengthy warranty, which means this unit should stay sharp and will be covered for any issues with battery life or charging for several years.
Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: How is the battery life?
Battery life is a standout feature of the Lifeproof Plus. The built-in lithium-ion battery delivers up to 90 minutes of cordless performance from a full 60-minute charge, which is impressive, regardless of price.
The quick charge function is particularly useful for lazy users – like me – that forget to recharge regularly, as a five-minute blast from a standard socket is enough to ensure a further five to ten minutes of shaving time, which is good for finishing off any missed patches of facial fuzz.
During testing, I found the unit far exceeded the claimed 90 minute runtime, with it easily lasting for several weeks of multiple ten-or-so minute shaving sessions each week before I needed to plug it in. What’s more, there’s a handy LED power level display on the front of the unit that gives a very clear indication of its remaining charge.
Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver review: Should you buy it?
Sitting at the more affordable end of the electric shaver spectrum, the Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver delivers a fast and efficient shave for the money.
It’s not the most technologically accomplished on the market, it’s quite bulky in the hand and fairly basic to look at, and the lack of guards or combs means it’s either the clean shaven way or the highway. On the upside, the long battery life is good for those that tend to forget to plug in, it’s dead simple to clean and the shaving experience is respectable, if not the smoothest. While it may not be the best electric shaver on the market (that accolade should probably go to the Panasonic Series 900S or the Braun Series 9 Pro+), it is definitely one of the best value, and it feels sturdier than many of the units I have recently tested that cost twice as much.
