Looking for an affordable trimmer that can regularly maintain your beard and not empty your pockets? This Philips Multigroom 3000 review might have some answers for you.
The Norelco Multigroom 3000 beard trimmer contains the basic features and elements of quality beard trimming like its most recent successor, the Multigroom 9000.
During my usage, I was actually surprised to see it performing so well despite its cheap price point, offering better value for money than expected.
Of course, it has some certain limitations that I’ll discuss in this article along with who will find it the most useful – so keep scrolling till the end!
“Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 is the ideal tool for short and medium beard grooming. With an ergonomic housing, sharp blades and additional precision and nose trimmers, it’s a complete, affordable package for regular consumers with lasting quality for years ahead!”
Contents
- 1 Unboxing the Philips Multigroom 3000
Unboxing the Philips Multigroom 3000
The Norelco Multigroom 3000 is packed inside a traditional box, within which a tray hosts the trimmer along with all of its accessories.
Its outer package isn’t the sturdiest but manages to keep everything inside protected from external pressure during delivery.
Once unboxed, you’ll find the Multigroom 3000 handle along with two separate blade heads and seven guide combs for enhanced grooming.
In addition, a carry pouch, charging adapter and cleaning brush complete the rest of the set without costing extra.
What’s Inside the Box: Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 Handle, 1 Trimmer Blade, 1 Precision Blade, 1 Nose Trimmer Head, 3 Hair Guards, 4 Beard Guards, 1 Charging Adapter, 1 Cleaning Brush, 1 Carry Pouch, User Manual.
Specifications: Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000, MG3740/40
The technical specifications section sums up the quality aspects for the Multigroom 3000 and sets the basis of expectation for the potential buyer.
- Dimensions: 15.3 x 3.4 x 2.9 cm
- Weight: 3.7 Ounces
- Color Choices: 2
- Variants: 3
- Housing Material: Plastic
- Trimmer Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Accessories: 12
- Blade Types: Beard, Nose, Detailer
- Waterproof: Washable
- Battery Indicator: No
- Battery Runtime: 1 Hour
Norelco Multigroom 3000 : Standout Features
Let’s talk about features – is the Multigroom 3000 a feature-heavy electric trimmer or something more straightforward? Time to find out the answer here!
Traditional Aesthetics
Philips Multigroom 3000 is covered by a very traditional outer shell with its plastic build and textured spots around the chest area.
Everything is draped in black with a contrastive silver tone separating the ergonomic region along with the power slider.
When you turn the trimmer off, it’ll show an orange patch for an easy indicator of the power slider without having to pay close attention to its position – that’s handy in my opinion.
Ergonomic Grip
Due to its compact size, gripping the Multigroom 3000 feels like a straightforward affair and consumers with any grip size will be able to utilize it comfortably.
The middle portion of the handle has a large indent to let the consumers wrap their fingers around it with convenience.
Also, the sharp crevice along with the textured patches on both sides keep the Multigroom 3000 firmly locked inside your fingers without any sign of slipping.
Doable Build Quality
I guess as a budget-grade beard trimmer, the durability of this device is tolerable and I reckon there was no way to improve upon this factor.
The housing is made with average plastic – still better than most other tools at this price range and can withstand a certain degree of external pressure.
Additionally, the motor and battery units remain functional for a long time, only replacement needed is for the blade, depending on your trimming frequency.
Light Weight
Due to the affordable material used in the construction, Multigroom 3000 is surprisingly lightweight and it caters to men with feeble hands.
This marks the device an ideal choice for a travel beard trimmer and the sliding power knob helps out as it prevents accidental set offs.
Other than that, longer grooming sessions are less straining and I felt no sort of fatigue on my fingers even after performing a complete beard trim.
Crispy, Sharp Blades
Unlike other Philips Norelco trimmers, the tampered stainless steel blade units in the Multigroom 3000 are surprisingly close and almost zero-overlapped.
Because of this, there are both good and bad aspects in the outcome. The positive thing is, you can get that neat and crispy outline on the beard and hair body with ease.
On the other hand, if you’re not careful, you might cut yourself with its sharpness. Those with sensitive skin should employ a blade guard for safety.
Average Motor Power
I can’t complain about the motor torque for this beard trimmer as it feels good enough for regular facial hair textures and densities.
Those with thick or curly facial hair might require a couple of extra passes but that doesn’t compromise the efficiency to an extensive level.
Multigroom 3000 produces a high-pitch, sharp noise due to the full-metal construction of this drive train reinforced motor. In terms of vibration, it’s soothing and never gets out of control.
Limited Accessories
Compared to the newer Norelco beard trimmers like the Multigroom 5000 or 7000, the Multigroom 3000 offers you very limited accessories within the package.
You’re going to receive a total of 12 accessories excluding the blade attached to the handle. Among these, there are 7 blade guards contributing to hair and beard grooming.
The guard lengths are as follows: 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm. Sadly, the quality of these guide combs are very generic, but I’ll concede considering its price point.
Furthermore, there’s a precision trimmer to trim the narrow parts of your beard, a nose trimmer and a carry pouch to stash everything in one place.
Good Enough Battery Life
The battery life for the Multigroom 3000 has measured up to around 1 hour with a full charge. Although Philips claims it to have a li-ion battery, I believe the battery unit to be an NiMh one.
Such a battery usually drags toward the end of the cycle and it’s evident in the Multigroom 3000 as I’ve found it most useful in the first 40-45 minutes after a complete charge.
Also, the depleted battery takes around 8 hours to fully recharge from zero. A lack of an LED indicator puts recharging the battery a pickle for many consumers.
Washable Design
While there’s no explicit mention about the waterproof quality of this Norelco Multigroom device, Philips claims that the trimmer is washable.
I did wash it a few times and saw no sort of leakage, but I believe I got lucky and the washing should be strictly limited to its blade only.
Like other Multigroom trimmers, you can push the blade to remove it from the hinges and that’s how you’re going to wash it as a separate unit or replace it with the precision or nose trimmer heads.
What I Like
- Traditional design gives retro vibes
- Super sharp & ultra close blades
- Good value for money in terms of motor power, battery life & accessories
What Could be Better
- Careless trimming may cause cuts due to blade teeth gap
- Recharging takes a long time
My Experience with Philips Multigroom 3000
I’ve spent months using the Multigroom 3000 on my own beard, mustache and to some extent, hair grooming. I’ll share my findings in this section for your convenience.
Trimming Closeness
Trims with the Multigroom 3000 are surprisingly close considering how affordable this device is! If you disregard the inherent risk of accidental cuts, you’ll get a fine trim out of it.
Therefore, I believe it’s the perfect solution for stubble trimming, especially for those who are within a very tight budget.
However, the beard blade doesn’t work well on hair due to its limited width and thickness. If you have balding hair, it’s better to use much safer and more robust dedicated clippers for the cause.
Blade Safety on Skin
This is where things get a little spicy – does the Multigroom 3000 cause cuts on every occasion? The answer is – no! It’ll only cut you if you press the blades too hard against your skin or not paying attention.
Rapidly gliding all over your face without any measured movement may lead to cuts or burns with a wide array of beard trimmers.
If you manage to apply a balanced pressure or attach the beard comb (1 mm), you should be safe from any sort of accidental mishaps.
Grooming Efficiency
The speed of grooming with the Multigroom 3000 depends largely on what sort of beard body you’re performing on.
If the beard is feeble with fine hair texture, completing a full grooming should take no more than 8-10 minutes, including the line up jobs.
Otherwise, those with coarse or coily facial hair might require some extra time to apply an even trim all across the beard body.
However, I’d say I’m satisfied with the efficiency and other, more expensive beard trimmers had been less fast in contrast with the Multigroom 3000.
Versatility
Norelco Multigroom 3000 is not really the most versatile beard trimmer as its major focus lies in stubble trimming and outlining.
As per long beard trimming goes, the maximum trimming length is 16 mm and in such cases, you’re going to spend longer than average time to craft the style of your preference.
Also, hair trimming or intricate designing with the Multigroom 3000 isn’t something this trimmer is known for.
Mustache grooming feels safe and because of the sharp blades, the outcomes are actually neat. Lastly, I wouldn’t recommend this device for body grooming at all.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Since the blade is washable, you can remove it and rinse it under running water for a swift cleaning. Make sure to dry out the blade before attaching it back to the handle.
If wet cleaning is not your forte, you may always use a cleaning brush to remove the dry dirt. Since you won’t be trimming on a damp beard, this method works most of the time.
Still, you should wash the blade and lubricate the motor head once every couple of weeks to enhance the overall durability and efficiency.
How I Tested the Philips Multigroom 3000?
To test out all of my beard trimmers, I grew out my beard for the past few months and Multigroom 3000 has been one of my go to trimmers for the cause.
I know how important it is to squeeze the most out of a budget beard trimmer and from my experience, I can certainly certify that this device delivers better value for money.
From its ergonomic housing to the sharp blades, a consumer can use this beard trimmer for daily maintenance and it has given me some of the tidiest outcomes!
What I Like
- Better trimming closeness than pricier devices
- Efficient trimming over generic beard texture & density
- Straightforward cleaning and maintenance
What Could be Better
- Not the most comfortable beard trimmer
- Limited versatility
Who is Philips Multigroom 3000 For?
First of all, the Norelco Multigroom caters to those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on their beard trimmer, yet expect an above average device.
Also, consumers preferring sharp and tight beard results will also find the Multigroom 3000 to be highly useful.
Men with fine hair and average coarseness are the best-suited individuals to utilize this trimmer at its full potential.
Along with beard grooming, Multigroom 3000 is capable of styling up your mustache and frequently retains the neat stubble landed by daily trimming.
Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 vs OneBlade 360: Who is Better at Beard Grooming?
Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 vs One Blade 360 has been a much debated argument among beard grooming enthusiasts.
Both of these tools are based on completely individual technology and therefore the outcomes or even performances are a little challenging to measure up.
| Feature | Multigroom 3000 | OneBlade 360 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.7 Ounces | 3.4 Ounces |
| Housing | Plastic | Plastic with Rubber |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel | Steel with Plastic |
| LED Indicator | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 1 Hour | 1 Hour |
| Waterproof | Washable Blade | IPX7 |
| Accessories | 13 | 4 |
| Price | See On Amazon | See On Amazon |
That said, as these two share a common grooming ground, let me place them side by side and find out their differences in one place!
Trimming Result
The results are bound to be different in these two devices since Multigroom 3000 employs a trimmer blade whereas the OneBlade 360 utilizes a shaving blade.
That said, the OneBlade cutting unit is versatile enough to be used as a beard trimmer and the outcomes are generally much closer than the Multigroom 3000.
On the other hand, Multigroom 3000 gives you more precision and control over sharp looks, things from outlining the beard to bulk trimming feels more effective with this tool.
In the end, it’s up to the preference of the consumers if trimming results is your only deciding factor. Otherwise, read the following discussions.
Skin Comfort
Norelco OneBlade is definitely the more comfortable on skin between these two devices.
As the blade in this shaver consists of steel with a rounded plastic base, there’s little risk of cuts or generating ingrown hair.
On top of that, the flat blade lays equally against your facial skin and the cutting actions aren’t performed directly via the blade, preventing burns or agitation.
Multigroom 3000 is more direct in its cutting method and with a tight blade teeth gap, the comfort levels fail to match the OneBlade 360.
Ergonomics
While both the Norelco OneBlade and Multigroom 3000 are ergonomically sound and lightweight devices, the former has the upperhand in my opinion.
With its sleek handle paired by the textured rubber ergonomics on either side, OneBlade 360 offers better traction even when the handle is slippery and wet.
Multigroom 3000 opposes this ergonomics with its unique crevice on both sides of the handle and for a beard trimmer, this does make sense.
Although I’ve given a verdict here, that’s solely based on my preference and consumers might easily opt for the Multigroom if it suits their grooming style.
Battery Life: Both the OneBlade and Multigroom 3000 offer a 60 minute battery life based on their lithium-ion unit inside.
But from my usage, the OneBlade 360 retains its battery with more boost in motor power than the Multigroom.
Also, the former takes much less time to recharge – 2 hours for a full charge defeating the gigantic 8 hour recharging duration for the Multigroom.
OneBlade has a charging light to notify about the recharging process. This being absent in the Multigroom 3000 makes things a little complicated for consumers.
Wet Shaving
OneBlade 360 is the clear winner here as its IPX7 rated and thus, can be used for wet or shower shaving.
You may even apply shaving foam for a refined outcome, classifying the devices as a top electric shaver, if not, definitely one of the finest from Norelco.
Other than wet shaving, you are free to fully wash the OneBlade handle along with its blade, but for Multigroom 3000 – you are only allowed to wash the blade once it’s detached.
Accessories
Multigroom 3000 is definitely accessory-heavy and that makes it a better-suited device for stubble or medium beard grooming.
With a total of 7 guide combs, the longest trimming length Multigroom offers is 16 mm, opposing the singular adjustable guard with the maximum 5 mm length.
Also, blade removal or altering is much easier on the Multigroom 3000, so is the locking mechanism – firm and tight. This comes in handy while using the precision blade or nose trimmer.
OneBlade 360 blade hinges are made with plastic and therefore quite finicky to alter between the beard blade and the body blade.
Grooming Versatility
OneBlade excels at versatile grooming and extends the courtesy of manscaping using the dedicated body blade.
Additionally, the body combs keep your skin safe while trimming around your pubic regions.
On the body, I went directly using the blade and it never caused any cuts or tugs. I wish I could say the same for the Multigroom 3000.
Verdict
Those preferring stubble and medium beard trimming with a sharp outcome can easily pick the Multigroom 3000 – it’s honestly a straightforward choice.
Otherwise, if you prefer a versatile shaver capable of giving you a clean shaving outcome, grooming your body and can maintain a very short stubble, OneBlade 360 would serve your cause better.
FAQ
There are some important questions on this Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 review that have been left unanswered. I’ll address some of them in this FAQ section!
Q: Is it waterproof? Can I use it in the shower?
Ans: No, the Multigroom 3000 is not waterproof or showerproof – it’s only washable. To be precise, only the stainless steel blade head is washable or rinsable under running water. The rest of the handle must be kept dry at all times.
Q: Can it be used while plugged in?
Ans: No, in order to keep you safe and sound, Philips doesn’t allow you to utilize the Multigroom 3000 while it’s connected to the charger. If you run out of battery in the middle of a trimming session, plug it into the charger for 5 minutes to squeeze out a swift trim.
Q: Can I replace the battery?
Ans: Technically, you can replace the battery on the Multigroom 3000 but it’s very tricky to get right due to the housing design and battery placement inside. If you must, I’d ask you to consult a technician who can do this for you. Or just claim the warranty if your device still has coverage.
Q: Where can I get replacement parts or attachments?
Ans: You can find any replacement parts or attachments for the Norelco Multigroom 3000 at official, designated vendors. Online platforms like Amazon also sell authorized replacements. I’d refrain from buying aftermarket parts as this can jeopardize not only the performance, but also damage your skin.
Q: Can I use it to shave my head?
Ans: With patience and a longer than desired duration, you may use the Multigroom 3000 to generate a short trim over your scalp. It’s not going to be as clean as a head shaver, instead the outcome might resemble a buzz cut. Again, I don’t think it’s worth it considering the efficiency and scalp safety.
Final Thoughts
This marks the concluding point for the Philips Multigroom 3000 review with extensive details on its features, pros, cons and practical usage.
If you don’t apply excessive pressure while trimming your beard, this tool can easily compete with pricier beard trimmers on the current market.
Also, the build quality is better and more lasting than what you’re paying for, so that’s also a win in my opinion.
Nothing could go wrong if you purchase this beard trimmer and the easy to use design will win your heart over after a couple weeks of grooming!
| Score | |
| Beard Trimming | 4.7 |
| Hair Clipping | 4.3 |
| Body Grooming | 4.2 |
| Motor Power | 4.5 |
| Battery Life | 4.6 |
| Overall Comfort | 4.6 |
| Overall Efficiency | 4.6 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
| Verdict
Philips Multigroom 3000 features sharp, stainless steel blade, metal-reinforced motor, li-ion battery and washable design, along with 12 accessories – all within a very alluring price point to give beard groomers refined results each time! |
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