As someone who’s been shaving my head for over 20 years, I understand the dilemma: finding a reliable shaver that doesn’t break the bank or overpromise and underdeliver.
With my extensive experience in bald head styling and grooming, I’ll give you an unbiased, detailed review of the Remington Balder Pro, looking at things like performance, durability, and value for money.
*Note: In this review I’ll be referring to the Balder Pro, but in certain countries (such as the UK) the shaver is known as the Remington RX5. Only Remington knows why they use different names, but rest assured it’s the same shaver.
Key information:
| Pros | ✅ Durable build quality ✅ Comfortable shave ✅ Easy to clean and maintain ✅ Good value for money |
| Cons | ❌ Poor battery life vs competitor models ❌ Limited additional features ❌ Cutting head design struggles to follow scalp contours |
| Who Should Buy | ✅ Anyone seeking a reliable, mid-range head shaver ✅ Those prioritizing durability and brand reputation |
| Who Should Avoid | ❌ Those wanting advanced features like LCD displays ❌ Users needing extremely close or precise shaves |
- Shaving Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Comfort and Skin Sensitivity: ⭐⭐⭐
- Build Quality and Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Battery Life and Charging Efficiency: ⭐⭐
- Cleaning and Maintenance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Design and Aesthetics: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Remington Balder Pro
- 5-Year Warranty for Longevity
- Durable, Reliable Build Quality
- Effective for Regular Shaving
- Simple Maintenance and Cleaning
- Ergonomic Design for Comfort
- Reputable Brand Assurance
The Remington Balder Pro by the Numbers:
| Price (at time of writing) | $70 |
| Battery Life (mins) | 50 |
| Charge Time (hours) | 2 |
| Weight (g) | 187 |
| Noise Level (dB) | 75.6 |
| Warranty Period (months) | 60 |
Performance
When I tested the Remington Balder Pro, I got a very efficient and close shave. However, I do have a few issues with it. Let’s start by diving into performance:
Shaving Performance
Firstly, the Balder Pro gave me a very close shave, just as close as market-leading head shavers like the Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum. Remington’s claim that you can get a close shave in under two minutes is spot on.
Wet and Dry Shaving Experience
I’ve tried wet shaving with the Balder Pro/RX5 a few times, and as with all head shavers, there’s not much upside to a wet shave over a regular dry shave. There’s no added smoothness, and for the extra effort to clean the device afterward, you might as well just dry shave.
If you are especially keen on wet shaving, my recommendation is just to use a razor. It can live in your shower right next to your shaving cream and doesn’t need to be taken apart for cleaning afterward. Your razor will give you a much closer shave anyway; I generally recommend having a head shaver like the Balder Pro on hand for when you’re short on time and need a quicker solution.
There’s always lots of debate over using razors or electric shavers for shaving your head, but when it comes to wet shaving, the razor gets my vote. That said, the Balder Pro did a fine job of wet shaving my head and is 100% waterproof so there are no issues using it in the shower.
Skin Sensitivity and Comfort
If you have sensitive skin you shouldn’t worry about the Balder Pro. I didn’t experience any irritation or soreness after use, although obviously if you press on too hard you can cause minor scratches.
I made this mistake trying to shave the back of my neck too quickly, but this says more about my technique than the shaver’s safety.
Noise Level During Use
The Balder Pro/RX5 was actually the loudest of the head shavers I tested, but not by much. For context, it averaged 75.6 decibels compared to the quietest, the Andis Profoil 17200, at 72.5 decibels. Despite being the loudest, it wasn’t painfully noisy and didn’t cause any discomfort even when shaving directly around the ears.
In summary, the Remington Balder Pro delivers a solid performance, especially considering its price point. While it requires some technique adjustments due to its unique head design, it’s a reliable tool that’s gentle on the skin and reasonably quiet.
Design and Build Quality – Top Marks
The Balder Pro’s big selling point is the quality of the build. It feels solid and durable, and there are a couple of well-thought-out features. For one, the rubber grip on the motor is a nice touch, as it means you’re much less likely to accidentally drop and break your head shaver.
I’ve been shaving my head for 20 years, so I’ve seen head shavers of all types and quality levels. As you’d expect with a Remington product, it’s sturdy and well-built, which suggests there are no concerns over reliability and longevity.
You’ll need a replacement cutting head eventually, but replacement blades for the Balder Pro are easy to come by – just buy from the official Remington site or on Amazon:
Remington Balder Pro Replacement Blades
- Restore Peak Performance
- Multidirectional Pivot and Flex
- Enhanced Neck and Chin Contouring
- Close, Comfortable Shave
Comfort and Ergonomics
As mentioned, the rubber grip that coats the sides of the motor makes the shaver easy to hold onto, especially when compared to other head shavers I’ve used such as the Kibiy Upgrade, which has a very smooth plastic casing that’s easy to drop.
The only negative in this area is that you can’t replicate the ergonomic palm grip that other models offer, such as the Freebird FlexSeries and the market leader, the Skull Shaver Pitbull:
When using the Pitbull, you can slide your fingers around the connector between the motor and the cutting head. This way, you get a firm and stable grip on the device which makes it easy to maneuver the shaver smoothly over the contours of your head.
By comparison, the Balder Pro doesn’t have room for your fingers between the motor and the cutting head, so this key feature is missing and the rubber grip only partly compensates for that.
Aesthetics and Design
There are two things to call out when it comes to the design, one negative and one positive.
The design of the cutting head is the main negative, as its convex shape means that it’s almost a mirror image of the shape of your head, which makes it less easy to follow the contours of the skull.
Other models like the FlexSeries by Freebird go for a concave design that more naturally follows the shape of the scalp, while the Skull Shaver Pitbull has a flat shaving area with double spring mounted blades which give the flexibility that you need for the best shave on the market:
Remington’s marketing material seems to suggest that they think that this shape actually makes it easier to follow the contours of the skull, but sadly this doesn’t match my experience.
The blades are spring-mounted and flexible so they can adapt to the shape of your head, but just didn’t shave as closely as the Pitbull when I tested the two against each other.
It doesn’t mean that the shave takes a lot longer, you just have to be careful that you haven’t missed any areas of hair, and I found myself having to go over some of the same areas more than once to be absolutely certain of an even shave.
The biggest positive about the design is the rubber grip on the sides of the motor casing, which I’ve mentioned above and makes it far easier to grip and far less easy to drop and accidentally break. It also makes Remington’s head shaver much more aesthetically pleasing, as there’s something quite cool about the rubber coating with its textured surface:
Additional Features
The Balder Pro doesn’t bother with some of the nice-to-have features of some of its competitors. It’s basically a well-built, functional head shaver that doesn’t try to be anything fancy.
For example, you won’t find an LCD display indicating remaining shaving minutes, extra attachments like nose and ear trimmers, or a charging stand. None of these are needed for a good head shave.
The only extra feature is the pop-out hair trimmer, which is for edging and detailing work on your sideburns and beard. However, this could also be left out, as it’s a little flimsy and doesn’t measure up to a dedicated beard trimmer or mini-clippers when it comes to this task.
The Balder Pro’s focus is where it should be – giving you a good, smooth head shave, without any of the bells and whistles that some of the higher-priced models offer. This perhaps explains why it’s just over a third of the price of the Pitbull Platinum!
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning the Balder Pro after use is a breeze. The cutting head splits in two to reveal a hair pocket where all the hair collects, and this can be brushed away or rinsed thanks to the fact the shaver is 100% waterproof.
Personally, I don’t like to rinse my head shavers under water, as I always recommend keeping the blades well-lubricated by oiling them once a month. Running water washes away a lot of that oil, meaning you have to re-oil each time you use the shaver or accept that your shave won’t be quite as comfortable.
Nevertheless, if you’re someone who values the speed of a quick rinse under the tap or shower, the Balder Pro is easy to maintain. There’s also a satisfying click when the two parts of the cutting head snap back into place after cleaning.
The only downside is that you can’t take apart the individual pieces of the cutting head like you can with the Skull Shaver Pitbull. Users will need to decide what’s more important: the ability to completely disassemble for cleaning, as offered by more expensive models, or a more cost-effective, straightforward cleaning process.
Value for Money
The real value of the Balder Pro comes with the peace of mind that you’re paying for a quality product. Yes, there are cheaper options on the market, but ‘buy cheap’ often means ‘buy twice’.
Admittedly, other mid-range head shavers offer more bang for your buck. The Freebird FlexSeries is cheaper and has better battery life and additional features like a nose and ear trimmer.
Battery life is possibly the biggest disappointment, with just 50 minutes cordless run time. This is the shortest of all the head shavers I’ve tested, with the next lowest being the 60 minutes managed by the Skull Shaver Pitbull Silver.
But the obvious sturdiness and build quality of the Balder Pro/RX5 is where the value for money comes in. Not only can you tell this is a well-made product by using it, but Remington put their money where their mouth is with a 5-year warranty, far beyond anything offered even by Skull Shaver.
FAQs
While primarily designed for head shaving, the Balder Pro can be used for light facial hair trimming. However, it’s not as effective as specialized facial hair trimmers due to its larger head design.
the Balder Pro is generally suitable for sensitive skin. Its design aims to minimize skin irritation, but as with any shaver, individual experiences may vary.
The longevity of the blades depends on usage frequency, but typically, replacing the blades every 12 to 18 months is recommended to maintain optimal performance.
The Balder Pro is designed for cordless use only. It must be charged before use and cannot be operated while plugged into a power source.
Summary
When it comes to head shavers, the Remington Balder Pro positions itself in an interesting spot. Let me share my thoughts as someone who’s navigated the world of head shavers for quite a while.
Firstly, in terms of shaving performance, the Balder Pro doesn’t quite hit the mark of being the top shaver in the market. It’s outshone by Skull Shaver’s range of shavers, which are after all made by a brand that specializes in head shaving tools.
While the Balder Pro is not uncomfortable to use, it lacks the double spring-loaded flexibility you’d find in the Skull Shaver models, but it makes up for it with the solid build quality and reliability we’ve come to expect from a brand like Remington.
Price-wise, the Balder Pro finds a sweet spot. It’s more affordable than the high-end Skull Shaver Pitbull Platinum, which comes with various accessories and features. Sure, those extras are nice, but are they worth the steep price hike? The answer won’t be a universal ‘yes’, especially for more price-conscious shoppers.
On the flip side, there are cheaper models like the Kibiy Upgrade 5-in-1, but they lack the peace of mind and durability that a Remington product offers.
In summary, if you’re in the market for a head shaver that balances cost, reliability, and performance without the frills of the premium models, the Remington Balder Pro might be the ideal choice for you. It doesn’t boast fancy accessories, but what it does offer is the assurance of a dependable, well-crafted tool from a credible brand.
Remington Balder Pro
- 5-Year Warranty for Longevity
- Durable, Reliable Build Quality
- Effective for Regular Shaving
- Simple Maintenance and Cleaning
- Ergonomic Design for Comfort
- Reputable Brand Assurance
