Wahl LifeProof Review

A sturdy, waterproof shell and a battery pack that never says die make this unit somewhat of a razor superhero.

Performance Comparison

Shave Quality

A month-long daily log of decent shaves earned the LifeProof average scores in this metric. None of our testers were left with perfectly smooth skin, but this model shaves well enough for average day-to-day needs.

A thicker, drop-proof exterior shell protects the entire body of the LifeProof, including the foil shaving head. This is a great safety feature, but it unfortunately results in a wider overall design. Our testers found it difficult to maneuver the LifeProof into harder-to-reach areas of the face and neck.

Its wider shaving head also made it harder to determine the overall placement of the head, especially when shaving without a mirror. That said, it still provides a decent shave and contours well, thanks to a fully pivoting head assembly.

The one thing we don't like is the hair trimmer. We agree with online consumer complaints that the trimmer teeth are a little too sharp. Additionally, the entire assembly sits below the foil cassette. This is particularly problematic when trimming sideburns because it allows the shaving head to sit a little too close to the head. This could result in an unwanted haircut.

Run & Charge Times

Gold medal run times earned LifeProof our highest scores for this metric. In our side-by-side testing, we were simply stunned by its ability to keep plugging away long after the competition lost its spark.

We're still scratching our heads over how well this unit performed during our charging and running tests. On two separate occasions, the LifeProof produced nearly identical results. It was fully charged in about an hour and then continuously ran for impressive 2.5 hours. None of the models on our list came close to these results. The one thing we didn't like was that the LifeProof didn't have a low battery life indicator, so you never knew how much battery life you had left.

Ease of Use & Versatility

A basic design, oversized body, and limited indicator lights resulted in middle-of-the-road scores for what the LifeProof offers in terms of ease of use and versatility.

Despite receiving a lower score for this metric, the LifeProof still has a few notable features that stood out to us. Physically, it's easy to grip and comfortable to hold. We also really liked its travel-lock power button. Simply press and hold the button for three seconds to lock and unlock — and say goodbye to a buzzing gym bag or carry-on.

We also liked this unit's reinforced drop-safe shell. We even tested it by dropping our razor from a hip distance onto hard flooring and found it reasonably protective.

Our negative feedback focused largely on this unit's limited user interface. As mentioned, the LifeProof offers zilch when it comes to battery life detection. In fact, the user manual basically says to charge the unit whenever it seems to be losing power. Additionally, we feel the power button sits too low, making it hard to reach with the thumb.

Ease of Cleaning

We liked this model's easy cleaning and maintenance routines but were a little unhappy with the lack of immediately accessible user information and necessary cleaning products. The result was a solid score for this metric, but certainly not the best score available.

Cleaning the LifeProof is a breeze; simply remove the foil cassette and rinse it and the cutting blades under running water. For a more detailed cleaning, the manufacturer recommends regularly brushing the blades to remove hair buildup. However, we were disappointed that our razor arrived without instructions, forcing us to search online for user guidelines. We also didn't like that the manufacturer requires that the unit be regularly treated with Wahl Oil, but it doesn't explain where to purchase it, and it wasn't included with the razor we received.

Should You Buy the Wahl LifeProof?

The Wahl LifeProof is waterproof and drop-proof, and it boasts incredible battery life. Users who need one (or all) of these specific features will be happy with this model. Of the three, we think its battery life is its greatest strength, as this model is very basic and comes with a price tag that may indicate dubious longevity.

What Other Electric Razor Should You Consider?

Our favorite razor is the Braun Series 9 Pro. If price is not an option, we recommend a glance at its review before making any final decisions. We also think the Remington F5 Foil is worth considering for additional comparison.