Comparison Philips Series 3000 HC3520 vs Panasonic ER-131

— Blade for cutting. The device is equipped with a classic hair clipper. Hair clippers usually have a fairly wide blade, allowing you to capture a large amount of hair at one time. In beard trimmers, the blade width is slightly smaller, but still allows you to fully care for a certain area of the face.

— Additional blade for cutting. An extra blade can serve as either a backup or a supplementary tool. While spare blades usually match the width of the main blade, auxiliary ones are typically narrower. A narrower optional blade is primarily used for precise detailing and cutting intricate designs. Conversely, a spare blade can come in handy when the main blade is entirely dull.

— Trimmer for goatee. The goatee trimmer is a special nozzle with a narrow blade, with which it is convenient to shape the contours of the goatee and easily care for this type of beard. A characteristic feature of this nozzle is a blade about 20 mm wide. The goatee trimmer can be represented as a replaceable nozzle or an additional blade built into the clipper.

— Trimmer for ears and nose. The clipper is equipped with a special nozzle that allows you to effectively and safely cut hair in the nose and ears. The ear and nose trimmer is usually a small cylindrical blade, the diameter of the cutting head is usually 5-7mm, and the length can be up to 30-40mm. The pres...ence of a trimmer for ears and nose allows the machine to take a more comprehensive approach to hygiene and hair care.

— Eyebrow trimmer. Eyebrow trimmer — a special attachment in the form of an oblong cutting head that allows you to care for eyebrows, correct their shape, and also shorten thick and unruly hairline. The eyebrow attachment is often double-sided. On the one hand, the trimmer can be equipped with a 3-4 mm high comb, which allows you to protect the eyebrows from excessively short cutting, and the other side is usually represented by a bare blade, which makes it possible to cut off excess hairs on the eyebrow line under the root.

— Foil razor. The foil razor head is tailored for trimming short stubble. The mesh effectively and delicately cuts through three-day growth, leaving behind a smooth complexion without discomfort. Numerous clippers featuring foil razors enable shaving without the need for foam, commonly referred to as a "dry shave".

— Body trimmer. The body trimmer is an accessory designed for removing hair from the torso and sensitive areas. The shaving head for body grooming usually features a dual structure. The primary component is a conventional blade that effectively handles coarse hair. Positioned behind the blade is a shaving foil that ensures a clean shave for any remaining stubble. Additionally, the body trimmer often includes a detachable 3 mm comb. When dealing with dense hair growth on the initial pass, using the fixed comb is recommended as the foil shaver might not be as effective.

— Universal comb. The adjustable-height comb provides seamless hair cutting transitions without the need to change attachments. Altering the comb's height is easily achieved on-the-fly by pressing the latch and shifting the comb. These combs offer convenience as they enable cutting with a single attachment, maintaining workspace organization. However, due to their intricate design, the reliability of such attachments may be compromised. The adjustable comb attachment is versatile, with typical models allowing you to select any height between 1 to 20 mm.

— Comb for cutting behind the ears. Comb attachment for precise work behind the ears. Allows you to perform a smooth edging along the lower border of the scalp in the area behind the ears.

Clippers and trimmers are often equipped with fixed-height removable combs. The more combs in the kit, the smoother transitions the device can make. The standard set usually includes 3-5 combs, more advanced models may have 7-10 combs of a fixed height in a set.

The cutting height is influenced by the type of cutting element and the inclusion of detachable combs. Toothed blades can trim hair as short as 1 mm. By coupling a toothed blade with a detachable comb, the cutting height can range from 2-3 to 20, and even 30 mm – the precise height hinges on the provided comb attachments. There are defined minimum and maximum cutting heights. The minimum pertains to the blade's inherent capabilities, devoid of attachments. The maximum cutting height is determined by the detachable comb type.

The number of haircut length options provided in the design of the clipper or the design of the nozzle. The more such options, the more versatile the clipper and the more cutting options it provides.

The speed of rotation of the motor of the clipper. The speed of movement of the blades directly depends on this parameter, and the quality of the haircut, in turn, depends on it: the faster the blades move, the faster and more accurately the clipper cuts.

— Self- sharpening blades. Blades made using a special technology, thanks to which they sharpen themselves, due to friction against each other in the process. Thus, the blades remain sharp at all times, and their maintenance is limited to the replacement of worn blades.

— Function of thinning. Thinning in hairdressing is called cutting the ends of the hair at different levels — as a result, after the haircut, the hairstyle looks more natural and magnificent. In machines, special thinning nozzles are usually used for this.

— Wet cleaning. The clipper's capacity for wet cleaning of its attachments, allowing them to be rinsed under flowing water, is a notable feature. It's important to clarify that this pertains exclusively to the attachments – not all models with wet cleaning have waterproof casings (see below). Nevertheless, even without a waterproof casing, it might still be feasible to clean the attachments without detaching them from the device. In general, wet cleaning is frequently more efficient, quicker, and precise compared to dry cleaning.

— Waterproof body.In this context, a sealed enclosure is indicated, enabling the machine to withstand water exposure without adverse effects. The extent of protection can vary; certain models tolerate brief water immersion, while others can operate even when submerged. These specifics should be detai...led in the accompanying instructions. Nevertheless, for clippers used in environments with elevated humidity (like bathrooms or wet areas), having such a water-resistant enclosure is greatly preferred, and sometimes obligatory.

— Built-in vacuum cleaner. The clipper is equipped with a vacuum cleaner, which greatly facilitates cleaning after cutting. The suction hole located under the blades sucks most of the cut hair into a separate reservoir. Of course, there will not be a 100% return, but there will be much less hair scattered on the floor. However, when cutting a beard, a vacuum cleaner will do just fine.

— Laser pointer. The presence in the electric razor of a laser in the form of a straight line. With its help, you can easily, and most importantly, evenly and symmetrically trim the desired areas.

— Li-Ion. Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries currently dominate the market due to their high energy density, compact size, and light weight. On average, Li-Ion batteries last for approximately 400 charge-discharge cycles. They exhibit minimal self-discharge and lack a prominent "memory effect" (capacity decrease when charging a partially discharged battery). However, these batteries are sensitive to cold temperatures and require precise charging current conditions.

— Li-pol. Lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries maintain stable output voltage even during significant discharge. On average, Li-Pol batteries offer a lifespan of around 800 charge-discharge cycles. These batteries don't exhibit the memory effect and remain stable across a broad temperature range, from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius. Their drawbacks primarily involve vulnerability to deep discharge and overcharging. This highlights the necessity for specialized chargers that employ optimal power delivery methods tailored to the lithium polymer context.

— Ni-Cd. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are engineered to handle substantial charge and discharge rates. They can be stored either charged or discharged without issue. These batteries aren't impacted by heat and maintain their capacity in cold conditions. However, the primary drawback is the "memory effect," which emerges when the battery is prematurel...y charged with residual capacity. Despite being outdated, Ni-Cd batteries are occasionally employed in clippers.

— Ni-Mh. Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries excel at managing substantial charge and discharge rates, making them suitable for demanding electric motors and facilitating quick charging. Contemporary Ni-MH batteries offer a prolonged lifespan of up to 1000-1500 charge-discharge cycles, while being environmentally friendly. In comparison to Li-Ion batteries, they appear bulkier and add weight to the device, yet they come at a more affordable cost. This battery type has replaced the previously mentioned nickel-cadmium technology.

— LiCo. Lithium-cobalt (Li-Co) batteries are renowned for their impressive energy storage within a small and lightweight structure. These batteries exhibit minimal self-discharge and lack the "memory effect". They maintain voltage stability almost until complete discharge. However, Li-Co batteries aren't engineered to handle substantial charge and discharge rates.

The typical duration of uninterrupted operation for a clipper powered by a self-contained source (battery or rechargeable batteries, refer to Power Source) without requiring a recharge or battery replacement. Extended continuous operation time becomes particularly crucial when intending to use the clipper in locations where recharging or battery changes are unavailable, such as during long trips.

— Scissors. The inclusion of a set of scissors with the hair clipper enhances its value, catering to both experienced enthusiasts and professional hairdressers. This bundled option provides a comprehensive haircutting package, and the scissors serve as a valuable tool for addressing finer details that the clipper may not handle alone.

— Comb. Availability in a set of delivery of the clipper of a comb. A comb is one of the most necessary tools for a hairdresser, so when purchasing it together with a typewriter, the user gets rid of the need for a separate purchase.

— Charging stand. The stand serves a dual purpose as a charger and storage unit for the machine. It facilitates convenient recharging during quick intervals between cutting sessions, making it ideal for hairdressers to keep the machine on the stand while using scissors or other tools. Additionally, it can double as an accessory stand (see Stand for accessories).

— Stand for accessories.The stand is designed to store clipper accessories such as detachable nozzles, cleaning brushes, and oilers. Using this dedicated stand reduces the chances of losing any of these accessories. In cordless clippers, this role is frequently fulfilled by the charging stand, which also serves as a storage solution (refer to Charging Stand).

— Case. Cases include all kinds of rigid structures for storing the clipper. Cases in the form of handbags made of thick fabric also fall into this category. In addition to reliable storage of the device, they also elevate the model to the highest class. In low-cost clippers, a much more primitive fabric cover is included in the package.