As winter recedes and outdoor activities resume, many are considering spring cleaning, encompassing not just homes and wardrobes, but also personal grooming routines. Panasonic’s Multishape kit presents itself as a comprehensive solution. Featuring a range of attachments, from toothbrush heads and detail trimmers to larger hair clippers, this modular system aims to consolidate grooming tools into a single, versatile device. Our evaluation identified both notable strengths and areas for potential improvement.
What’s included?
The Panasonic Multishape employs a modular design, offering a variety of customizable combinations. The total number of included modules impacts the overall price. While we believe some modules are more essential than others, the fully equipped kit, priced at just over SEK 1,700, comprises the following:
⦁ Base unit providing power to all attachments, accompanied by a cloth bag (Li-ion Battery Base Unit)
⦁ Beard, hair, and body trimmer, including four comb attachments for adjustable trimming lengths ranging from 1 – 30 mm.
⦁ Beard and hair trimmer, featuring three comb attachments for trimming lengths from 1 – 20 mm.
⦁ Shaver module incorporating a 3-Blade Foil Shaver head.
⦁ Nose, ear, and face trimmer module.
⦁ Toothbrush module, which includes two toothbrush heads.
⦁ Travel case for convenient storage of all components.
⦁ Charging cable with adapter suitable for various power outlets.
⦁ Lubricating oil and a cleaning brush.
The core concept is a single base unit powering all modules. This unit provides an operating time of 90 minutes on a full charge, requiring approximately one hour for complete recharging. A 3-minute quick charge provides sufficient power for a single shave in urgent situations. The system is waterproof, a notable advantage facilitating use in the shower, particularly with the shaver module. Furthermore, the waterproof design allows for easy cleaning of the base unit and all attachments under running water.
The Clippers
The nose, ear, and face trimmer performed exceptionally well. Its effectiveness and painless operation align with our previous experience with Panasonic’s dedicated nose hair trimmer. Concerns about potential hair pulling due to inadequate design are unfounded; the blades cleanly sever hairs. The sharpness of the blades reflects Panasonic’s commitment to quality, evident in their ES-LV9U shaver as well.
The large trimmer head, designed for broader areas, includes four comb attachments to accommodate individual preferences. This trimmer also delivers effective cutting performance and is easily cleaned. While Panasonic markets it as a beard, hair, and body trimmer, our experience suggests it is best suited for body and hair trimming. For beard trimming, particularly for finer beard styles, the beard and hair trimmer provides superior control and precision for achieving the desired length. For comprehensive body hair trimming, consider their dedicated body hair trimmer.
The shaver module completes the clipper selection. The suitability of a foil shaver depends on individual beard characteristics, particularly hair growth patterns. Individuals with swirling or multi-directional beard hair may find rotary shavers more effective. In our testing, the shaver’s performance was inconsistent under normal use and during wet shaving in the shower. Achieving clean lines proved challenging, particularly when shaving against the grain with thinner beard growth. However, the shaver performed adequately for complete, clean shaves.
The Toothbrush
The kit includes two toothbrush heads: Extra-Fine and Multi-fit. Preference is subjective; however, we found both brushes to be relatively soft. As an electric toothbrush, the function performed adequately. The brushing action felt more like vibration than a streamlined cleaning motion. Ultimately, we reverted to our standard toothbrush after several uses.
The Experience
In general, the modules performed as intended, though some proved more compelling than others. The hair styling modules, in particular, delivered excellent results, earning high marks for ease of use, cleaning, and assembly. The shaver and toothbrush modules, however, did not meet expectations. What, then, is our overall assessment?
The system’s modularity allows users to select and combine attachments based on individual needs. The availability of various kit configurations, coupled with the option to purchase individual modules, offers flexibility and avoids the upfront cost of the complete set. This represents a significant advantage of the Multishape concept. Panasonic’s website clearly presents these options.
In conclusion, Panasonic has successfully delivered on the beard/hair/body, nose/ears/face, and, conditionally, the shaver modules. These components merit commendation. The ease of cleaning all components with standard hand soap is a noteworthy feature.
The toothbrush module proved to be the least impressive component; therefore, we suggest considering it last. However, it remains adequate for short trips, eliminating the need to pack a separate electric toothbrush.
Are there any areas for improvement? Considering the system’s versatility, the absence of a precision trimmer for close-to-the-skin detailing is a notable omission. Such a trimmer could complement the shaver for achieving fine lines and definition around the beard. Despite this, the Panasonic Multishape offers an excellent modular grooming solution, minimizing the number of devices requiring charging, a feature we appreciate.
Panasonic provided a test unit for this review. The provision of the product does not influence our editorial assessment.
