It’s slim, slick and looks like it could have walked out of a big name fruit shop in terms of design aesthetics. How does the Laifen T1 Pro perform?
I recently reviewed the Laifen P3 Pro, the reimagined shaver. It was actually quite impressive.
On appearance the T1 Pro is much more traditional looking compared to the P3 Pro. A slim handle that broadens out to a shaver head.
I actually didn’t ask this question, the P3 Pro has three blades, the T1 Pro has one only. Maybe this is the hidden in plain sight designator by Laifen. Well played if that is the case.
Design and Build Quality: First Impressions
The T1 Pro shares a lot of DNA with the P3 Pro.
The body is machined in a single piece of aluminium, and takes about two and a half hours per unit to complete, with a precision to 0.01mm.
It has a IPX7 rating, meaning it is waterproof up to 1m depth for 30 minutes.
Metals features heavily with minimum plastic components.
The head is magnetically attached to the handle with a satisfying snap and the fit is superb.
At the heart of it, it shares the same 12,000 CPM linear motor, but just one here.
The protect cover is not magnetically latched here, it’s a clip on. Judging by the slim 18mm wide head, this is a space and weight saving measure.
Performance in Practice: Shaver vs. Trimmer
After the P3 Pro and it’s triple blade, I didn’t want to set an expectation for the T1 Pro.
As I mentioned in the other review, I have gotten slack about this area of grooming since COVID. With the P3 Pro I am trying to get back into the habit but not always succeeding.
I tried to keep the test metrics consistent as I had with the P3 Pro. Going feral for a few days then trying out the T1 Pro. It didn’t quite go as I was imagining.
With just a single blade, the T1 Pro is not playing in the same game as the P3 Pro. It struggled a bit with the mess, and would occasionally tug at the follicles which was not the most pleasant feeling.
It also required multiple passes to achieve something in the same ballpark the P3 Pro can easily do. And it really struggled with picking up hair that are not quite aligned with the trimmer head itself.
The results here are not much of a surprise, it was trying to do the same job with just one-third of the hardware. Kind of like how many CFOs expects IT to run – on a shoestring but deliver Rolls Royce service.
What sets the T1 Pro apart though is the inclusion of a trimmer head and three different sized trimmer guards – 2mm, 3mm and 5mm. There are no markings on them so you will have to eyeball them, they are noticeably different in size.
I did some limited testing of the trimmer (hey I only have so much facial hair to share with the shaver), and it seems to suit this function better.
Ergonomics wise, the T1 Pro is much more traditional with the handle. At 12mm the handle is easy to grip and hold. There is no relearning how to hold it.
Battery, Charging, and Travel-Friendly Features
Charging is via the USB-C port at the bottom of the handle. Laifen says it has a 120 minutes battery life and a one minute Quick Charge will get you eight minutes of us.
On their website they estimate four months of battery life based on one use per day for two minutes each time.
Even for me, a full shave would take more then two minutes, especially if I have to run over the same areas multiple times.
The “flight mode” has been carried across the product models and also appears on the T1 Pro. Just press and hold the power button to turn on and off. It stops the shaver from inadvertently turning on when in transit.
Final Verdict: Shaver Second, Trimmer First
The Laifen T1 Pro is not what you are looking for if you have a heavy stubble. It is far more practical if you are just maintaining your follicles – from low stubble or close trimming. That is where it’s strength lies.
The Laifen T1 Pro has a RRP A$199.95. just $50 cheaper than the P3 Pro. However, upon more reflection, the two models are pitched at different needs. The P3 Pro is a shaver first and only, the T1 Pro is a trimmer first, and a shaver second.
My only complaint is that there is no pouch to put all the accessories in.
It is available directly from their website, or from Amazon but noting the pricing on Amazon seems a fair bit higher.
DRN would like to thank Laifen for providing the review unit.
