Freebird FlexSeries Pro vs Remington Balder Boss Comparison
November 21, 2024 • 7 min read
With well over a decade of head shaving experience under my belt, I've seen it all - smooth shaves that make you feel like a million bucks, painful nicks that remind you why you should never rush, and everything in between. Today, we'll see a heavyweight showdown between Freebird's FlexSeries Pro and Remington's Balder Boss.
Both of these bad boys are upgrades from their popular and best-selling predecessors, the original FlexSeries and Remington Balder Pro. They're ready to battle it out in the Premium Shaver Arena.
Let's see how these two compare, and by the end of this comparison, you'll be able to pick which one suits your needs and budget.
Quick Verdict
After diving deep into the features and performance of these two popular head shavers, here's the scoop in a nutshell:
Both are waterproof, offer free shipping, and have 60-day shave trials.
But when it comes to the nitty gritty, the FlexSeries Pro beats the Balder Boss with its:
- Longer 90-minute battery life
- Quieter, Adaptive motor
- Lower price (shaver and blade replacements)
- Free attachments worth $60
- Lifetime warranty (with subscription)
- Travel lock
- Independent foils
- Three-level LED battery indicator
- Pop Up Trimmer
- Turbo feature
- Shaver lubricant
But let's be real: The FlexSeries Pro trumps the Balder Boss in almost all categories and is the more practical shaver.
Design and Build Quality
First off, let's talk about looks. The FlexSeries Pro has a sleek, modern design with ergonomic rubber grips and an anti-slip finish that screams "I mean business". Its lightweight and compact nature make it an ideal main and travel shaver, ensuring you're always prepared for a smooth shave. While some may find the rectangular block shape of the FlexSeries Pro a bit different, it's a design that you'll quickly get used to and appreciate for how easy it is to maneuver.
The Balder Boss, on the other hand, is a testament to Remington's commitment to quality. It's easy to hold, solidly built, and also has rubberized sides for added grip. While it might not win a beauty contest against the FlexSeries Pro, the Balder Boss's solid build quality and design ensure that it's a shaver that will last, providing you with a reliable shaving experience for years to come.
Winner: FlexSeries Pro
Performance and Features
Attachments
Freebird always throws in $60 worth of free attachments for their head shavers. For the FlexSeries Pro, you'll get the following:
- Upgraded Precision Clipper
- 3, 5, 7mm Safety Guards
- Advanced Nose & Ear Trimmer
- Micro Cleaning Brush
Meanwhile, the Balder Pro comes with...not much. You'll get the basics: a USB charger, shave cover, shaver lubricant, and cleaning brush in the box.
The added accessories win this category for the FlexSeries Pro.
Blades
The FlexSeries Pro and Balder Boss boast Japanese stainless-steel blades, which are sharper, more durable, and more precise than ordinary stainless-steel blades.
The FlexSeries Pro has a QuadTorque Four blade design, which deviates from the five-blade design of the original FlexSeries. The new blade design and independent foils give a smoother and closer shave than the original FlexSeries. Its larger blades cover more area, and the convex design ensures consistent contact between the blades and your scalp. The independent foils add the cherry on top as they help keep the blades close to the shape of your head. Freebird says blades generally last for 50 shaves, depending on how often you shave and hair type.
The Balder Boss has a five dual-track head design that pivots 360 degrees. It helps shave hard-to-reach areas on our smooth domes. While the blades move inwards and outwards, the individual blades do not flex, unlike the FlexSeries Pro independent foil blades. Remington claims that blades last six months if you shave every two days.
The FlexSeries Pro edges out the Balder Boss in this head-to-head category.
Waterproofing
The FlexSeries Pro has IPX7 waterproofing, while the Balder Boss is "100% waterproof", according to Remington. IPX7 means you can submerge your shaver in up one meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes without destroying your device.
The Balder Boss boasts Remington's WETech technology. While it's not clear what this actually means, let's give Remington the benefit of the doubt and assume that it's on a similar level as IPX7 waterproofing.
Both shavers allow for wet and dry shaving and cleaning under running water.
They're both better than IPX5 water-resistant shavers, which only allow protection against splashes and not submersion.
Battery Life and Indicators
Let's face it: running out of battery mid-shave can be a bummer. Not with the FlexSeries Pro, as it gives you 90 minutes of cordless shaving, more than enough power for multiple shaves on a weekend getaway. At 90 seconds per dry head shave, that's plenty more juice left over to shave your beard and body if you want.
The FlexSeries Pro also has a three-level LED battery indicator, so you'll know when to charge your device.
The Balder Boss has a single LED battery indicator and 60 minutes of battery life, which is a good enough baseline for shaver battery power but is way behind the FlexSeries Pro.
Motor
The FlexSeries Pro features a quiet, powerful, and adaptive 8,500 RPM motor that adjusts power based on hair density. It's powerful enough to cut through coarse and curly hair with ease. You'll also save battery life as the motor doesn't run at full power for easy-to-cut hairs.
The Balder Boss, on the other hand, has a turbo feature that allows you to press a button(+) for extra power. If you're shaving thick and curly hair, this turbo button can do the trick.
The FlexSeries Pro beats the Balder Boss in this one because why push buttons, when the FlexSeries Pro does it automatically?
Added Features
The FlexSeries Pro and Balder Boss have hair-capture chambers, making them easier to clean than other shavers. The FlexSeries Pro has an enlarged hair chamber that captures more hair for fewer interruptions while shaving.
The FlexSeries has a travel lock, which makes it an ideal travel companion. Turning the travel lock on is simple: press the power button for three seconds to engage or disengage.
The Balder Boss has a pop-up trimmer, which some shavers with beards may find helpful. The FlexSeries Pro doesn't have a pop-up trimmer but it has a trimmer attachment with three guards for beard trimming.
Winner: FlexSeries Pro
Price and Value
Now, let's talk about dollars and cents. The FlexSeries Pro costs $59.95 with a blade subscription, while the Balder Boss costs $99.99 (with no subscription option). That's a 40% savings with the Freebird FlexSeries Pro, plus a Lifetime Warranty, so you can rest assured that you're getting the best value for your money.
Blade replacements cost as low as $16.63 for the FlexSeries Pro and $29.99 for the Balder Boss.
The FlexSeries Pro also gives away $60 worth of free attachments. The FlexSeries Pro is cheaper and has a lifetime warranty, lower-priced blades, and freebies. Without a blade subscription, the FlexSeries Pro costs $79.95, which is still cheaper than the Balder Boss.
We know who wins this one.
Money Back Guarantee/Warranty/Shipping
Freebird offers a lifetime warranty for subscribers and a one-year warranty for non-subscribers. You also get a 60-day shave trial and free shipping.
Remington provides a 5-year limited warranty, a 60-day shave trial, and free shipping.
Winner: FlexSeries Pro
Final Verdict
After pitting these two heavyweights, we have a clear winner: The FlexSeries Pro. It beats the Balder Boss in almost every category. It's cheaper, has more advanced features, a lifetime warranty, and freebies worth $60. Who doesn't love useful freebies?
While outclassed, the Balder Boss is still a good shaver for those who prefer a five-head shaver or those loyal to the Remington brand. It's worth noting, however, that Amazon says that the Balder Boss is a "frequently returned item" which may indicate that there are some quality issues or that customers aren't happy with it.
Overall Winner: Freebird FlexSeries Pro
FAQs
Which is Better, Four or Five Heads?
Ah, the age-old debate: four or five heads? With today's head shavers, more heads aren't necessarily better. With leading brands like Freebird and Skull Shaver switching to four blades from their original five-blade designs, fewer heads may be better, but not in general. We trust that both head-shaving giants did their homework and improved their four-head blade designs, making them better than their five-head counterparts.
How Long Do Balder Boss Blades Last?
The blades on the Balder Boss are meant to last. Remington says they can last six months if you shave every two days. This can vary based on hair thickness and how often you shave. If you're a daily shaver with thick and coarse hair, swap your blades earlier than recommended.
How Long Do FlexSeries Pro Blades Last?
The blades on the FlexSeries Pro last 50 shaves depending on your shaving habits and hair type.
Does the Balder Boss Leave Stubble?
Electric shavers like the Balder Boss don't leave stubble. You should shave with a hair trimmer or clipper if you want some stubble left, like a buzz cut.
