Philips wants to go down on you – down below the neck that is, with their newest offering: the Bodygroom Plus.  We received a model to try out for ourselves, and it does the job quite nicely.  But don’t throw out your old Bodygroom models just yet.

The Plus come with three different combs for various trim lengths, plus a special extension handle to reach all those awkward places like your shoulders and back.

In theory, with a great deal of time and patience, a person with a particularly hairy back might be able to shave themselves smooth without the help of a buddy.  The foot-long handle should make it possible to reach all areas of the back, and the shaver carries a 50 minute charge to last you through the ordeal.

The shaver itself feels a lot bulkier than previous models, like it’s meant for more heavy-duty body work rather than finer grained detailing.  In fact, it doesn’t have an interchangeable head as previous models did.  So you’re stuck with the coarse-grained shaver head designed to mow down thicker hairs with the blades on the edges, and then take the shave closer to your skin with the foil in the centre – unless you put a comb on it, that is.

I let my odd tufts of shoulder hair grow so that I could test the Bodygroom Plus out.  I found it did just as good a job as my older Philips Bodygroom, however the extension handle made for less straining and twisting as I tried to get at the spots further back.  While I opted to do this dry, the shaver is 100% waterproof and can be used in the shower.

Aesthetically speaking, the Plus looks a great deal sturdier and better quality than the smaller bodygroom that I own.  However I was disappointed that the charging stand for the Plus didn’t have a compartment to store the accessories, as my cheaper model did.  So you’ll need to find a place in your bathroom cabinet to stash the combs and handle.

Visit our website for videos of us unpacking, comparing, and trying out the Philips Bodygroom Plus.