Manscaped The Chairman Pro review: is this the best value electric shaver?

Telegraph

04-03-2025

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Price: £150, Amazon
Alternative retailers: Manscaped (£140)
Our rating: 9/10
We like:
LED lights up the face
Simple cleaning
Various guards for control over stubble length
We don't like:
90-day warrant is stingy
Foil head is bulky
It is fairly noisy
What is the Manscaped The Chairman Pro Electric Shaver?
Manscaped has been making waves in the grooming industry, predominantly for popularising electric shavers that have been designed to tackle the, ahem, nether regions. YouTube, social media sites and the web in general has been awash with tongue-in-cheek adverts for The Lawnmower and other groin-shearing products.
The same focus on a smooth finish with minimum irrigation has now been applied to the face, with Manscaped expanding its range of SkinSafe products into some of the best electric shavers and beard trimmers out there.
The Chairman Pro sits at the very top of the range and offers two interchangeable heads that offer either a baby smooth finish or precise control over stubble length. It's a canny USP, as it gives the user greater choice when it comes to the results – whether that's one, or even two-day stubble or squeaky clean cheeks.
The Chairman Pro is a fully waterproof electric shaver, allowing it to be used in the shower or bath, or with creams and oils for sensitive skin, while a small LCD display gives an accurate read out of remaining battery life.
All of this is housed inside a smart package, which is easy to hold and looks great, with simple magnetic heads making both cleaning and swapping out the four-blade foil for the stubble trimmer a doddle.
How we test electric shavers
It's difficult to get a feel for an electric shaver after just one use, as it generally takes a few sessions to work out whether it provides the desired finish without irritation or razor burn, as well as its ability to offer the advertised runtime.
That's why we test all shavers over several weeks, with The Chairman Pro used three or four times a week to gain insight into the closeness of the shave, how the electric shaver handles, the overall skin comfort, its ease of use and the ease of cleaning and maintaining.
On top of this, we timed each shaving session, allowing the unit to run its battery down over the course of a week or so to see if the manufacturer's runtime claims were accurate.
To get the most accurate overall picture of performance, we also tested any accessories that came with the shaver, be it stubble guards, combs or cleaning kit.
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Closeness of shave: 9/10
Where the Chairman Pro is concerned, closeness of shave is optional, as it comes with two different shaving heads that magnetically snap on to the main body.
A four-blade foil shaver is designed to shave even thicker stubble right down to the skin, with SkinSafe blade technology employed to minimise the risk of irritation. With this head attached, it offers squeaky clean results on even tougher five-day stubble, with only a few passes and minimal pressure required.
Alternatively, the stubble trimmer, which features just two foil blades and two individual plastic guards, allows for a two or even three-day stubble look. However this isn't a beard trimmer, as it still cuts the hair short. For that, you will be better suited to one of the best beard trimmers.
Similarly, the Chairman Pro isn't one to turn to if you are thinking of trying a spot of amateur barbering, unless you are taking a grade 1 down to the skin. A pair of hair clippers is far better suited, as they are more powerful and allow for varying lengths.
During testing, I preferred the stubble trimmer with the shortest guard attached, as this allowed for a smooth shave, without taking it right down to the skin. That said, it took multiple passes to ensure all of the facial hair was trimmed which, for some, might lead to some irritation.
However, the four-blade foil is excellent at delivering a really close shave, with no razor burn or ingrown hairs reported, even after several weeks of use.
Maneouvrability: 8/10
Manscaped's top tier electric shaver comes with a number of handy features, including the LED light that illuminates the part of the face that you are heading towards. In addition to this, the company also includes a Precision Lock feature that allows the main shaving head to be locked at the perfect angle.
When left to freely swivel, the Chairman Pro did a fantastic job of following the contours of the face, but locking the head at a specific angle assists in achieving a more precise finish to longer stubble, carefully trimming sideburns or simply reaching those more difficult spots, like under the nose.
However, the shaving heads themselves are quite large and therefore lack the sharp finish of separate, smaller T-blade precision trimmers that can be found on some rival shavers. These typically slide up from the rear of the shaver and allow for more precise lines.
In addition to this, I found that the Stubble Trimmer, complete with plastic guards, struggled to tackle hard-to-reach areas, requiring multiple passes over the top lip and under the jawline to ensure all hairs were tackled equally.
Other than that, it felt great in the hand, with an ergonomically designed shape and textured plastic on the flanks ensuring it was easy to grip, even when wet.
Comfort: 9/10
Manscaped's SkinSafe technology is designed to minimise irritation and nicks in the most sensitive of areas and does a great job of trimming hair to the skin without snagging or irritation.
The main four-blade foil employs a multitude of different blade designs to first lift hairs and then guide them into the foil for efficient cutting. If you prefer a clean shaven look, this is the most efficient tool and it does so without irritating razor burn, nor the need to perform endless amounts of passes.
Even after using it for several weeks, shaving at least twice a week, I didn't experience any signs of irritation, nor did I notice any ingrown hairs and other nasty side effects.
It's also possible to use the Chairman Pro alongside specific shaving gels and oils, which mitigates any form of irritation further. It's a comfortable experience and one that's extremely easy to use, with that illuminating LED making it easy to spot flat-lying hairs and spots you might have otherwise missed.
Ease of use: 9/10
Electric shavers rarely require a degree in modern mechanics to fathom, but the Chairman Pro is up there with some of the simplest to get on with. Charging is via a fairly standard USB-C cable, meaning it can be charged from laptops and other handy outlets when travelling.
A full 90-minute charge delivers a claimed 75-minutes of runtime and that's pretty much spot on. During testing, I managed seven circa ten-minute shaving sessions before the small LED display on the unit informed me it was time to charge.
Other than that, swapping heads simply requires pulling the magnetic units from the pinch points at the sides and lifting away. New heads snap on with ease and the small plastic guards are guided into obvious slots. That said, these plastic guards are a little flimsy, meaning they require some care.
Ease of cleaning: 9/10
Being waterproof, the Chairman Pro is very simple to clean. Remove the magnetic foil cover, tap hairs into the sink and then rinse the unit with warm water. Manscaped then suggests you run the shaver motors under warm water with the unit switched on, before laying everything out to air dry.
To ensure the blades remain sharp and effective, Manscaped sells replacement magnetic blade heads on its site, which range from £28 for the stubble trimmer to £45 for the foil blade. Manscaped recommends changing them every 12 to 18 months, but this will vary on the degree of usage.
Technical specifications
There are many electric foil shavers that rival the Chairman Pro, but very few come with swappable magnetic heads for greater control over stubble length. One of the closest in terms of price is the Wahl Lifeproof Plus Wet/Dry Shaver, which is a sturdily built unit that delivers an equally close shave.
Telegraph verdict: 9/10
Considering the price, the Chairman Pro offers an excellent shave, alongside the ability to gain greater control over stubble length. If you don't like the perfectly clean shaven look all the time, this is a solid addition to the bathroom armoury.
Throw in the LCD display, the built-in illuminating LED and the general build quality, and the Chairman Pro represents excellent value for money. It's worth noting that the 90-day warranty is shorter than some rivals, which can offer up to four or five years.
That said, Manscaped can take care of your entire grooming routine, offering various packages that throw in shaving gels and soothing balms, as well as the ability to subscribe and have these automatically replenished. Great for forgetful hairy types.
FAQs
Is the Manscaped The Chairman Pro suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. The company specialises in sensitive areas, taking this expertise to the beard and face.
How long does it take to charge the Manscaped The Chairman Pro?
A 90-minute charge sees 75 minutes of runtime.
What is the warranty period for the Manscaped The Chairman Pro?
The warranty is a mere 90-days, which is some way behind the several year warranty other manufacturers offer.
Does the Manscaped The Chairman Pro have a travel lock feature?
Yes, there is a travel lock feature that prevents the shaver from turning on in transit.
Can the Manscaped The Chairman Pro be used for wet and dry shaving?
Yes, it is fully a fully waterproof electric shaver so can be used for both wet and dry shaving.