The best compliment we can pay the Panasonic ER-GB80 is that after using it, we were pleasantly surprised when we looked up its current pricing. It has a super-wide head, meaning you can cover your face in just a few strokes. The horizontal length dial allows for great control, at 0.5-mm increments, and ensures that if you cut at the wrong length, it’s all your fault.
A few years ago, you might have had to wait hours for a trimmer of this price to fully recharge, but nowadays it only takes an hour—just like the top models. That said, its 50-minute charge time is relatively low, and, sure enough, it uses Ni-MH battery tech rather than the more desirable— sometimes longer-lasting—Li-On style. The plastic shaver attachment is comfortable and has a semi-open design to help avoid clogs. It’s all sounding pretty good for the Panasonic ER-GB80, but it is only useful for basic trimming, not styling. With a wide cutting area, it does not feel like a high-precision shaver, particularly when tackling your upper lip area.
Sure, the Panasonic ER-GB80 has a classic flip-out narrower detail shaver—you simply push it out with a thumb. But it is not a replacement for a dedicated narrower head. Your ability to navigate with it is limited by its positioning, and as the main trimmer stays active, there’s a small chance you’ll end up buzzing an unwanted area while doing so. Still, for the online prices at the time of review, the Panasonic ER-GB80 is a bargain.
50 mins / 60 mins charge
