Gillette Mach3 Review

Our Gillette Mach3 Experience

We've been testing different versions of the Gillette Mach3 since 2020. We've used it enough to be sure that it is one of our favorite three-blades. We tested this latest version over a period of three weeks, and while it didn't knock our socks off, we still think it's one of the better tri-blade designs we've come across.

We noticed that the Mach3 doesn't perfectly plow through really thick beards; even some of our testers with medium-dense stubble felt the blades catch and tug every once in a while. We liked the smaller blade head that contoured better to our face and neck, and we found it worked its way more easily through hard-to-reach areas, like below the nose or next to the ears.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Shave Quality

The front of the Mach3 has three super-sharp blades sandwiched between a lubrication strip (top) and a skin guard (bottom). Although we see this standard design a lot, the combined effort of all three components works better than average to provide a relatively fast, easy shave. However, most of the time it took our testers a few passes to catch every last hair.

Compared with the rest of the group, the Mach 3 wasn't bad, but it wasn't a standout performer either. Sure, it's cheap, but for just a couple bucks more you can get a closer, smoother shave.

The Mach3's triple-blade system plowed through most of our stubble in a single pass, but we did have to make several additional passes to remove every whisker.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The front view of the Mach3 shaving head: three sharp blades, a lubrication strip at the top and a textured rubber skin guard at the bottom. The skin guard's job is to gently pull skin tight to allow for a better shave.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The backside of the Mach3 razor head. It's a pretty basic design, a plastic frame with reinforcement from three vertical cross bars.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Glide and Comfort

The Gillette Mach3 isn't perfect, but it does move nicely across the face and neck. A more compact shaving head allows it to contour well and pivot into harder-to-reach places near the jawline and neck. While the Mach3 snagged our whiskers occasionally, it glided well most of the time. However, we experienced more friction as the lubrication strip wore down, and users with more sensitive skin might need to replace the cartridges more frequently.

Handle Ergonomics

This razor's handle was a little too small. Its simple, straightforward design appealed to some of our testers, but not to others. The handle is thin and not very ergonomic, and if you have larger hands and fingers, you might have trouble finding the right hold. We did like the razor's inlaid rubber grips, though, and found them to be effective even when wet.

The Mach3's handle is pretty straight and basic, followed by a curved arch at the end. The arch doesn't do much to improve the ergonomics of the grip, but it does separate the blade head from the handle, allowing better contact with the face and neck.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

A closer example of the arch and how it creates space between the handle and blades.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The topside of the handle is inlaid with rubber strips.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The bottom of the handle also has grooved rubber grips.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Build Quality and Durability

The Mach3 is simple, but it's well-made and sturdy. The whole thing is made out of plastic, but it has a weight that made us think the handle was metal at first. It's weighty and smooth, which makes the razor more appealing. That said, it doesn't match the quality of higher-end cartridge razors on our list, and is only a small step up from disposables.

Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement

With the exception of a few cross supports, the razor head of the Mach3 is mostly wide open, and we appreciated how easy it was to rinse after we finished shaving. Even when really mucked up with overgrown stubble and shaving cream, this three-blade quickly cleans up.

Replacing the shaving cartridge is simple: push the button to release the used head, then snap the fresh one into place. Easy peasy.

Should You Buy the Gillette Mach3?

Probably not. If you like simple, straightforward products, you'll probably be ok with the Mach3, as long as you don't have any special requests (like sensitive skin or extra dense facial hair). Its smaller pivoting head maneuvers well into tight spaces, but that's about all it has going for it. Ultimately, it's an inexpensive cartridge shaver that will work well for travel, newbies, or anyone else who just wants a decent enough shave for a decent enough price, but it didn't stand up to the competition well enough to earn our recommendation.

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