Laifen P3 review: Powerful razor with one problem

With the P3 Pro, Laifen demonstrated that an electric shaver doesn't have to look like cheap bathroom plastic. Since August, a more affordable version, the P3, has been available. It lacks the aluminum casing, but technically it's largely based on the Pro. I used the P3 daily for a month, replacing my previous Philips shaver. To cut to the chase: I was impressed with the shaver itself. Whether you should buy it, however, depends less on the P3 itself and more on the price of its bigger brother.

Design and workmanship

The most significant difference to the P3 Pro is the casing. Instead of being milled from a single block of aluminum, the P3 is made of glass-fiber reinforced polycarbonate. Laifen calls the matte, slightly ceramic-looking surface Monocoat. The shape remains unchanged. The body is compact and wider than it is tall; you hold it by the handle, much like a beard brush rather than a traditional razor. This takes some getting used to at first. A small viewing window allows you to watch the motors in action. It's more of a gimmick, but it suits the technical look. The P3 is available in black, white, and blue; my test unit was the white version.

The P3 is operated via a single button. An illuminated ring indicates whether the shaver is in use or charging, and glows red when the battery is low. Holding the button down for two seconds activates the travel lock to prevent the P3 from accidentally turning on in a suitcase. There's no app, different modes, or a display. Those who like to tweak settings won't find anything here. Everyone else will be able to use the single button immediately.

Shave

Under the hood are two linear motors, each capable of 12.000 cuts. pro Minute. The shaving head combines two 0,055-millimeter-thin stainless steel foils with a cutting element in the middle designed to capture longer hairs. This makes the P3 a classic foil shaver and not a rotary shaver.

In everyday use, the P3 shaves very thoroughly, not only on the cheeks but also on the neck. Many foil shavers tend to leave individual hairs untouched in this area. It also handles longer stubble after a few days without shaving quite well.

This is precisely where my only real criticism lies: there's no separate trimmer, neither a fold-out nor an attachable one. The central cutting element in the shaver head is no substitute for a trimmer for defining contours or trimming sideburns. A trimmer would be the simpler solution for pre-trimming hair around the neck and with longer stubble before the foils do the rest. So, anyone who wants to groom a beard or keep its contours neat will still need a second device.

I was pleasantly surprised by the noise level. The P3 is comfortably quiet and emits a low hum rather than a shrill buzz. This is particularly noticeable in the mornings when everyone else in the apartment is still asleep.

Battery and charging

Laifen claims a runtime of up to 100 minutes. My battery lasted that long; I haven't had to charge it even once this month. So, you don't necessarily need to pack the charging cable for travel. It charges via USB-C, so the cable from your smartphone or laptop is sufficient. A power adapter isn't included, but a stylish USB-C to USB-C cable is. According to Laifen, if you forget to charge it, three minutes of charging will give you about seven minutes of runtime, which is enough for a shave.

Cleaning

Cleaning is also pleasantly straightforward. The shaving head attaches magnetically, can be removed with a single movement, and rinsed under running water. The P3 is waterproof to IPX7; a cleaning station is neither included nor needed.

The standard package includes only the razor, a protective cap, and the charging cable. A bundle is available for €189,99 that additionally includes a travel case and a non-slip mat. Laifen currently only sells replacement heads as accessories for the P3 Pro, for €44,99. This isn't exactly cheap, as the head includes part of the frame.

Price and availability

The Laifen P3 has been available since August 2026 and has a recommended retail price of €159,99. It can sometimes be found in stores for around €150. Laifen offers a 24-month warranty.

This brings us to the problem. The P3 Pro launched at €199,99, €40 more than the P3. However, Laifen now sells it (partially) in their own shop for €169,99, reducing the price difference to just €10. Some retailers even offer the Pro for less than the P3. For this price difference, or even less, you get the aluminum housing with virtually identical technology: the same motors, the same cutting head, and the same runtime. Incidentally, the Pro also lacks a separate trimmer; this feature is absent in both models.

Conclusion

The Laifen P3 is a really good shaver. It shaves thoroughly, even on the neck, is quiet, has a long battery life, charges via USB-C, and is cleaned in seconds. After a month, I wouldn't go back to my old Philips.

The lack of a trimmer is a drawback, as it would make trimming hair around the neck and longer stubble much easier. However, the bigger problem is self-inflicted. As long as the P3 Pro costs only ten euros more, or is even available for less, the P3 makes little sense. Anyone considering a Laifen should compare the prices of both before buying. Only when the price difference becomes significantly larger does the P3 become the sensible choice.