- 28-in-1 all-in-one grooming kit
- Excellent beard, body, hair, nose & ear trimming
- Self-sharpening stainless steel blades
- BeardSense Technology adjusts power automatically
- Up to 6 hours of battery life
- 100% waterproof for easy cleaning
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Premium precision comb with 0.2mm adjustments
- No USB-C charging
- Battery indicator only works while charging
- Too many attachments for some users
- Precision comb dial feels stiff with wet hands
The Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 is one of the best all-in-one grooming kits for men. It offers excellent trimming performance, a long-lasting battery, self-sharpening blades, and 28 versatile attachments. While it lacks USB-C charging and a battery indicator during use, it's still an outstanding choice for beard, body, hair, and nose grooming.
Most men own three or four grooming tools. A beard trimmer. A body groomer. A hair clipper. A nose trimmer. The Philips Norelco All-in-One Trimmer 9000 Series promises to replace all of them. One device. One small travel pouch.
I’ve been testing the Model MG9585/49 for months now. I’ve used it on a one-day beard, a week-long beard, chest hair, nose hair, and a DIY haircut. The series also includes the MG9740/40 and the broader MG955x Series — all sharing the same core platform. This review covers the MG9585/49 in full, including the bits Philips won’t tell you on the box.
The Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 is for men who want one premium grooming kit that handles everything. It’s best for home use and travel. It’s not a replacement for a professional clipper or a dedicated foil shaver. But for daily beard maintenance, body grooming, and occasional haircuts, it’s genuinely excellent.
Quick summary: The good and the not-so-good
- The good
- Self-sharpening steel blades — zero oil needed, ever
- BeardSense Technology reads beard density 125 times per second and adjusts power
- Up to 6 hours of runtime on a full charge — two to three weeks of daily shaving
- 28-in-1 Grooming Kit covers beard, body, nose, ear, and hair in one pouch
- Premium Precision Comb with 0.2 mm increments from 1 mm to 3 mm
- 100% showerproof — rinse the whole unit under the tap
- Rubber grip handle that stays secure even with wet hands
- The not-so-good
- No USB-C charging — uses a proprietary cable. Full charge takes 3 hours
- 28 pieces are a lot. The manual is a fold-out diagram poster. It won't survive long
- The precision dial on the comb is stiff with wet hands
- Battery indicator only lights up when plugged in — not during use
- Some guard attachments can rattle slightly against the blade on first use
- Body trimmer works best trimming with the grain — cross-grain passes can tug
Key specs: At a glance
Model |
MG9585/49 |
Series |
Philips Norelco All-in-One 9000 Series |
Total pieces |
28-in-1 Grooming Kit |
Blade technology |
DualCut Technology — Self-Sharpening Steel Blades |
Smart sensor |
BeardSense Technology (125x/sec density reading) |
Battery |
Lithium-Ion Battery — up to 6-hour runtime |
Charge time |
3 hours for full charge |
Precision comb |
1 mm to 3 mm in 0.2 mm steps |
Waterproof |
100% Showerproof — Wet and Dry Operation |
Handle |
Stainless steel handle with rubber grip |
Includes |
Travel pouch, cleaning brush, USB charging cable |
First impressions: Unboxing and first impressions
What is in the box?
Opening the box, everything comes packed inside the travel pouch. It’s thin and translucent — not premium, but it fits every piece and zips cleanly. Better than nothing.
The trimmer itself looks sharp. The stainless steel handle has a satin nickel finish. The rubber grip covers the lower third of the body. It feels solid in the hand — not heavy, not flimsy.
The manual problem
The instruction booklet unfolds into a giant poster. Tiny diagrams. Barely any text. One reviewer called it a “1990s fold-out poster.” That’s accurate.
Take photos of it before it tears. Find the guide on Philips’ website or YouTube. The manual is the worst part of the unboxing.
The charging setup
The Lithium-Ion Battery takes 3 hours to fully charge. A light glows while plugged in. It turns solid white when full. When you unplug it, the indicator goes dark. You can’t check battery level during a shave. You find out it’s low when it starts dying.
No USB-C charging is a real miss. The cable is proprietary. Most users grab a spare smartphone brick. The cable fits standard USB-A ports fine.
Core technology: Blade design and smart sensing
DualCut Technology and self-sharpening blades
DualCut Technology uses two blade sets. One cuts on the forward stroke. One catches on the return. Each pass cuts twice. That’s why it feels faster than basic single-pass trimmers.
The self-sharpening steel blades are the headline feature. After 14 months of use, one tester said the blades still cut like new. No oil. No sharpening. No replacement needed.
Most trimmers need oiling every few weeks. The Multigroom 9000 doesn’t. Rinse it under the tap after use. That’s the entire maintenance routine.
BeardSense Technology: why it matters
BeardSense Technology is a built-in beard density sensor. It reads hair thickness 125 times per second. It adjusts motor power automatically.
On a thin patch — the upper cheek or below the jaw — it drops power. On a dense patch — the chin or upper lip — it pushes harder. This prevents tugging on sparse areas. It also stops the motor from bogging down on thick zones.
This is what separates the 9000 series from the Philips 5000 or 3000 series. Those models run at fixed power. The BeardSense system is smarter. It protects your skin by reading it in real time.
Face and beard performance
Test 1: one-day and two-day stubble
For light stubble, the metal trimmer head is all you need. No attachment. The blades glide cleanly on one- to two-day growth. Zero pulling. It’s quiet too — you can use it without waking anyone.
The precision is good. You can clean a neckline and define a cheek line in under two minutes. Line work is sharp. Not barber-sharp, but clean for a cordless trimmer.
Test 2: one-week beard trimming
One week of beard growth is where BeardSense earns its keep. The motor stepped up through the dense chin area on its own. No bogging. No stalling. I used the 9 – 13 mm beard comb and got an even trim in one pass on the cheeks.
The sides took two passes. Not unusual for a dense beard. No tugging. No irritation after.
The Premium Precision Comb: best feature for stubble fans
The Premium Precision Comb runs from 1 mm to 3 mm in 0.2 mm length increments. That’s 11 settings. No other attachment in this kit comes close to stubble control.
Set it to 1.4 mm on Monday. Hit the same length on Friday. Consistent results every time. For daily stubble maintenance, this comb alone justifies the price.
One honest note: the rotary dial is stiff. With dry hands, it takes a firm twist. With wet hands, it’s hard to move. Older lever-based systems were easier. That’s the main complaint about this comb.
Neckline, sideburn, and mustache trimming
For neckline trimming and sideburn trimming, use the bare metal trimmer head with no guard. The blade is narrow enough for clean edge work. Not barber-level — but excellent for home maintenance.
The mustache trimming test went well. A light upward stroke along the lip line caught everything cleanly. No pulling. Go slow and let the blade do the work.
Head and hair clipping
Can it replace a barber?
Short answer: no. But it does more than you’d expect. The extra-wide hair trimmer attachment takes length off the sides and back cleanly. Five wide hair guards (4, 9, 12, 16 mm) let you do a basic fade at home.
The trimmer is smaller than a dedicated clipper. That’s an advantage. It’s easy to reach the back of your own head at awkward angles.
The limit is closeness. Dark hair against a light scalp will show shadow. For lighter hair or a uniform length, it does an impressive job. Know your expectations going in.
Hair clipping test: zero nicks
I did a full head-shaping session. Sides, back, around the ears, and neckline. Zero nicks. Zero pulls. Zero cuts. The blade geometry is forgiving. Going against the grain caused no irritation.
The fading guards (left and right) blend lengths when cutting in different directions. Watch one YouTube tutorial before using it. The manual won’t help you here.
Body grooming performance
Chest hair and torso trimming
The body shaver attachment clips on in one click. For chest hair and stomach hair, it cuts cleanly with the grain. Following the natural hair direction gives a smooth, even result.
Going against the grain is where it gets tricky. On dense chest hair, cross-grain passes caused some tugs. Nothing painful. But noticeable. The lesson: go slowly and follow the growth direction on the first pass.
For very coarse hair all over the chest, a dedicated body groomer works better. The Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 Ultra or Panasonic ER-GK80 are purpose-built for that. The MG9585/49 is great for light to medium body grooming. For heavy coverage daily, consider a specialist tool alongside it.
Underarm and groin grooming
The body shaver handles underarm grooming well. The attachment keeps the blade at a safe distance, and the rubber grip gives you full control even in awkward positions.
For groin grooming, the body guard attachments (3 mm and 5 mm) are the safe option. The guards prevent any accidental contact between the blade and loose skin. Trim slowly. Always use the guard for this zone — never the bare blade.
Nose and ear trimming
The nose and ear trimmer attachment rotates into position to prevent any blade edge from contacting skin directly. It’s a rounded safety design. One reviewer described the experience as “therapeutic” – and honestly, it’s remarkably smooth.
For heavy nose hair, it takes 15 – 20 seconds per nostril. You hear it cutting before you feel anything. No pulling, no pain. It does the job quietly and cleanly.
Battery & maintenance : Battery life and upkeep
How long does the battery last?
Philips rates this at up to 6 hours of runtime. In real-world testing, one user charged it twice over an entire year. He used it weekly for beard trimming, body grooming, and haircuts. That’s outstanding for any grooming tool.
The Lithium-Ion Battery is significantly better than older Philips 5000 series models. Two to three times better in direct use. Most men will charge it every two to three weeks with daily face shaving and one weekly body groom.
Do you need to oil the blades?
No. You never need to oil these blades. The self-sharpening steel blades are engineered to maintain their edge through normal use. After hundreds of uses over 12 -14 months, the blades still perform like new. No lubrication required.
For cleaning, rinse the trimmer head and attachments under warm running water. The unit is fully showerproof – you can hold it under the tap without any concern. Use the included cleaning brush for the blade teeth after rinsing. That’s the entire maintenance routine.
The attachment overload reality check
28 pieces are a lot. There’s a learning curve. Some attachments look nearly the same. Guard numbers are tiny and hard to read in a steamy bathroom.
Be honest with yourself. Most men use eight to ten pieces regularly. The beard combs, the precision comb, the body shaver, the nose trimmer, and two or three hair guards. The rest stay in the pouch as backups.
Take photos of the manual before it tears. Spend 20 minutes matching each piece to its job when you first open the box. After that, the kit becomes very intuitive.
Guard rattle: test your attachments immediately
The Philips GroomTribe app
The Philips GroomTribe app offers beard style guides, tutorials, and a virtual try-on. Van Dyke, full beard, Chevron, circle beard — it’s all in there. Test styles on your own photo before you commit.
It’s a bonus for men still finding their beard style. The in-app videos explain each attachment clearly. Far better than the box manual.
How does it compare? : Against the rest of the field
The Braun All-in-One Series 9 is the closest rival. Both are premium all-in-one kits. The Braun edges the Philips for facial shaving closeness. The Philips wins on battery life, attachment count, and BeardSense. For beard grooming, choose Philips. For the closest face shave, the Braun is slightly better.
The Philips OneBlade Pro 360 is a different tool. It shaves very close – nearly like a cartridge razor. The Multigroom 9000 is a trimmer. It won’t replace a dedicated shave. For a smooth, clean shave, add a OneBlade. For trimming and length management, the Multigroom 9000 is right. Many users own both and switch between them.
Comparison table: premium all-in-one trimmers
| Feature | MG9585/49 | Braun A-i-O S9 | OneBlade Pro | Panasonic ER-GB80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery life |
6 hours |
~60 min |
~90 min |
~50 min |
Pieces |
28 |
10 |
6 |
3 |
Smart sensor |
BeardSense |
AutoSense |
None |
None |
Self-sharpen |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Body grooming |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Good |
Beard shaping |
Excellent |
Very Good |
Good |
Good |
Close shave |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
Fair |
Travel pouch |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Other trimmers worth knowing about in this category: Panasonic ER-GB80, Wahl Lithium Ion+, Remington PG6025, and the Braun XT5. Each has strengths in specific zones. But none match the raw versatility of the 28-piece kit at this price.
Long-term use : The real picture after months of use
One reviewer has used his Philips 9000 series trimmer for over 14 months. The battery still charges fully. The blades still cut cleanly. Nothing has broken. He uses it for beard trimming two to three times per week.
But he added a note of honesty. His previous Philips 5000 and 3000 series trimmers both died after one to two years. Not from damage. From internal failure. No warning signs. They just stopped working one day.
He treats the wet and dry claims more carefully now. He rinses under running water but doesn’t soak the unit. That’s wise. Philips rates the MG9585/49 as showerproof. But for long-term use, rinse rather than soak.
Related picks : Worth pairing with these
The Multigroom 9000 handles most grooming needs. But knowing what else is out there helps you make a smarter decision. For a full breakdown of the top electric shavers across all budgets, see our guide to the Top Rated Electric Razors. If dedicated facial trimming is your main focus, our roundup of the Best Beard Trimmers for Perfect Stubble covers the top standalone options. And if you want a dedicated tool for below-the-neck grooming, check our list of The Best Body Trimmers for Men for purpose-built picks.
FAQ : Frequently asked questions
It’s Philips’ premium all-in-one grooming kit. The MG9585/49 includes 28 tools. It covers beard, body, hair, nose, and ear grooming. It uses DualCut Technology blades and the BeardSense Technology sensor.
It covers every grooming zone. You get beard combs, a premium precision comb, wide hair guards, fading guards, a body shaver with body guards, a nose and ear trimmer, an eyebrow comb, a detail trimmer, and a skin protector. Plus a cleaning brush, USB cable, and travel pouch.
No. The self-sharpening steel blades never need oiling. After hundreds of uses over more than a year, they perform just like new. Rinse under warm water after each use. That’s the full maintenance routine.
The Premium Precision Comb adjusts from 1 mm to 3 mm in 0.2 mm length increments. That gives you 11 distinct settings for ultra-fine stubble control. Twist the rotary dial to your chosen length and trim. One honest note: the dial is stiff, especially with wet hands.
Yes. It’s rated as 100% showerproof for wet and dry operation. You can rinse the full unit under warm water. However, avoid soaking or submerging it for long periods. For longevity, rinse rather than soak.
Yes – the BeardSense Technology boosts motor power automatically on dense, coarse beard areas. For very thick beard growth over seven days, start with the longest guard and work down in two passes. It handles heavy growth well. It just takes more time than a dedicated beard trimmer.
Up to 6 hours on a full charge. In real-world use, most men charge it every two to three weeks with regular daily use. It is significantly better than older Philips 5000 series models.
For beard grooming versatility and battery life: yes. For facial shaving closeness, the Braun edges it slightly. Both are excellent. The Philips wins on attachment count, battery, and the BeardSense sensor.
Yes – with one caveat. If you already own a recent Philips 9000 series model, the upgrade is marginal. If you’re switching from a 5000 or 3000 series, or from separate grooming tools, the improvement in battery, technology, and versatility is significant.
Men who want a clean, smooth shave with zero shadow should add a dedicated foil shaver or the Philips OneBlade alongside it. Men with very heavy chest or back hair may find a dedicated body groomer more efficient. The Multigroom 9000 handles these zones, but not at the level of a purpose-built tool.
Final verdict : The best all-in-one kit at this price
The Philips Norelco All-in-One Trimmer 9000 Series is the best all-in-one grooming kit at this price. The 6-hour battery is extraordinary. The BeardSense Technology is genuinely smart. The DualCut Technology blades need no maintenance. The 28-piece kit replaces four separate tools.
It’s not perfect. The manual is bad. The charging indicator is basic. The precision comb dial is stiff. And it won’t give you a razor-smooth shave – add a OneBlade for that.
But as a single tool for home grooming and travel? It’s the best option on the market at this price.
- Buy it if…
- You want one tool that handles beard, body, nose, ear, and hair grooming
- You travel often and need everything in one compact pouch
- You want self-sharpening blades with zero oil and zero fuss
- Long battery life matters — two to three weeks between charges
- You're upgrading from a Philips 5000 or 3000 series or a budget trimmer
- You maintain regular stubble and want 0.2 mm length precision
- Avoid it if…
- You want a razor-smooth shave — this is a trimmer, not a shaver
- You have very heavy body hair and need a high-torque dedicated body groomer
- You already own a recent Philips 9000 series model — the upgrade is minimal
- You dislike managing many attachments and prefer a simpler two-piece kit
- USB-C charging is a dealbreaker for you
