This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Panasonic’s compact Lamdash Palm In shaver now comes in a 6-blade version, the Palm In PRO. I had used the 5-blade Palm In as my main shaver for about two and a half years, so I bought the new one and shaved half my face with each. The finished result was surprisingly similar, but the 6-blade model felt smoother on the skin while shaving. The bigger upgrade, though, is everyday convenience: you just set it on a wireless charging stand, and there is now an optional automatic cleaning station.
What I tested
- Panasonic Lamdash Palm In PRO ES-P690U-S: 6 blades, metal silver finish, bundled with the Palm In Pot automatic cleaning and charging station
- Mentioned for comparison: the ES-P650U-W, the same 6-blade shaver in a stone-textured white finish
- Compared with my 5-blade Palm In ES-PV6A-W, used for about two and a half years
- Checked look and feel, size, weight, charging, the cleaning station, blade movement, and a 30-second shave on each side of my face
What I found
- The metal finish feels premium, cool to the touch and clearly different from the stone-textured models. Since you hold a Palm In directly in your palm, the material is easy to notice.
- Despite the extra blade, it is not much bigger than the 5-blade model. It is still compact enough for travel.
- It is heavier: about 183 g for the 6-blade metal model versus about 152.7 g for the 5-blade, so about 30 g more. I could feel it, but it did not bother me while shaving.
- Charging is the biggest improvement. On the 5-blade model I had to open a cover on the bottom, plug in USB-C, and wait for it to dry after washing. Now I wash it, let it dry and set it on the wireless charging stand. Small steps like this add up on something you use every day.
- The cable port changed from USB-C to a proprietary connector. I mostly use the stand, so it did not bother me, and the battery lasts long enough for short trips without a charger.
- The Palm In Pot cleaning station is compact, holds the shaver inside, and its color blends into a bathroom better than the big black cleaning stations many shavers use.
- Inside, the 6-blade head holds the inner blades in the head itself, while the 5-blade model leaves them on the body. For hand cleaning, the 5-blade model felt a bit easier.
- The blades move up and down very smoothly when pressed, even more so than the 5-blade model. Cheap look-alike pocket shavers sold online are nowhere near this.
- It also senses beard density and adjusts power, stronger in thick areas and gentler in thin ones.
- Side-by-side shave, 30 seconds each: both sides looked very clean, and the 5-blade still shaves very well. The difference was in the feel. The 6-blade was gentler on the skin and followed my face more smoothly.
| 5-blade Palm In | 6-blade Palm In PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Shaving | Excellent, shaves well | Excellent, smoother |
| Finish | Excellent | Excellent |
| Feel on skin | Good | Excellent |
| Blade movement | Good | Excellent |
| Weight (measured) | About 152.7 g | About 183 g |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Automatic cleaning | No | Available |
| Price | Getting cheaper | Expensive |
Who it’s for
The Palm In PRO suits people who want a Palm In as their main shaver at home, want a gentler feel than the 5-blade, are tired of plugging in a cable, or want cleaning to be as automatic as possible. If your 5-blade Palm In is fairly new, there is no need to rush; it still shaves very well. If you have used yours for a few years, the upgrade is worth it. For shaving performance alone, the stone-textured 6-blade model is better value than the metal one. And if you want to spend less, are fine with USB-C charging and do not need automatic cleaning, the 5-blade model, now cheaper, is still a great choice. I also think the Palm In Pot is a nice extra rather than a must, because the shaver is easy to rinse by hand; the wireless stand alone already makes a big difference.
The video is in Japanese, but the side-by-side shave, the weights and the charging stand are easy to follow visually.
Limitations
The shave comparison is my own impression on my own face, after 30 seconds per side. I have not used the 6-blade model long term, and I have not tested how long the battery lasts. The metal model was expensive in Japan at the time of recording, and prices change. The Palm In series is mainly sold in Japan, so check whether it ships to your country and whether the charger supports your local power.
Products
Panasonic Lamdash Palm In PRO ES-P690U-S (6 blades, metal silver, with Palm In Pot): on Amazon Japan
Panasonic Lamdash Palm In PRO ES-P650U-W (6 blades, stone-textured white): on Amazon Japan
Panasonic Lamdash Palm In ES-PV6A-W (5 blades): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.