Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Groom Mate Platinum XL Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer

Top positive review

The Platinum XL vs. the TrimIt ...And the Platinum XL Wins!

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2007

I was intrigued to try a non-battery operated nose/ear trimmer, and after speaking with the company, I decided to try the Platinum XL (U.S made two-handed model) and the TrimIt (Japanese made one-handed model)both sold by Groom Mate. Let me say that this company is very open to questions and really tried to make me happy with my purchase. I like that, and it is so rare in today's marketplace.
Both of the nose/ear trimmers arrived sealed and brand new. Both were better made than I expected, much better made; the Platinum XL was notably hefty and durable. Another rare find in today's world of cheap throw-away consumables.
I was fully expecting the Japanese made one-handed TrimIt model to wipe the floor with the two-handed XL, but I was wrong. Using two hands to twist and guide the XL made for a faster and closer nose trimming experience. Also, the tactile feel of using two hands made me feel more in control.
When I went to my ears, I feared that having to use two hands to use the XL trimmer would lead to a clumsy experience: That fear was unfounded. The Platinum XL works great on the ears, and I had no fear of nicking either.
The TrimIt works nice, but I often feel that I am just clacking along with no sense of how the job is going. To its credit, it is super comfortable to use on the ears.
It is true that the XL (and the TrimIt) require a little more time than the battery operated ones that I have used (those that actually cut hair), but the extra time spent was negligible. More important, I know I am using a quality machine when I am using either the Platinum XL or the TrimIt.
For the record, I have plenty of experience with battery operated nose/ear trimmers. I have used the Sharper Image battery trimmers and after the 2.0 they literally did not cut worth a darn. The 5.0 twirls the blade so fast that my eyes watered, and that's no joke...and no fun either. Besides, they break far too fast for a product as expensive as they are. The Remington model is decently made but is worthless for cutting nose hair (the side burn attachment is ok but it's not why I bought it!). The two Panasonic models I had recently bought were slower and cut good, but both broke within months of use...I was afraid to buy another! That's what brought me to these non-battery operated nose/ear trimmers.
As I stated earlier, both the XL and the TrimIt are amazingly well made; I fully expect them to last for years of use.
I never expected to be so into a nose/ear trimmer, and 20 years ago I would have laughed at the prospect of even needing one. Now, at 42, it's a weekly reality that I don't need to worry about--will my nose trimmer break, will the new model even cut, etc. Thanks to the Platinum XL, I know I now have a tool that I can rely on to do the job, so I don't have to worry about entering the world with any hints of embarrassment holding me back.
The Platinum XL is easily the best Nose/Ear trimmer I have ever used, and the TrimIt is worth your consideration if it suits your style.
I hope my review has helped you to make a decision on whether to buy a Groom Mate trimmer and the pros and cons of these two top of the line trimmer models.
All the Best, MLC

753 people found this helpful

Top critical review

Critical reviews›

JustAnotherEngineer

Slow but effective - nicely machined - a quality product - yet difficult to use and very SLOW

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2009

This is a manual (finger operated) nose and ear hair cutter. Slow but relatively effective - nicely machined. Twist the base and the cutters rotate slowly and any hairs that happen to fall within its cutters will be sheared. Only rarely, will you feel any pulling of hairs - the blades seem quite sharp.

This device is quite slow compared to a battery operated device but after my Panasonic battery operated cutter failed after only a few uses, I decided a manual cutter was the better alternative.

Given the quality of the machining - this little device may last a lifetime. It's made of stainless steel. Yes: It is slow, Yes: It may occasionally pull a hair or two but it works and it was designed and manufactured with considerable care. I should add that at times it can be quite difficult to position this device while still being able to twist the base. So it is hardly ideal but there is little doubt that it will work reliably.

I'm not aware of any electric cutter that will last. Check out the reviews of electrical cutters here on Amazon - they often fail.

I'd happily pay $50.00 or more for a quality electric cutter but they don't seem to exist. Given that fact - this little MANUAL cutter may be your best choice for personal grooming. I still look forward to a reliable electric cutter.

UPDATE (March 2010): 4 months after I purchased this cutter I have once again purchased another electric cutter simply because I was so frustrated with this manual cutter. While this manual cutter works - it is quite slow and difficult to position while still being able to turn the knob at the end of the unit. Nevertheless I'll always have it as a back-up. Time will tell whether my new electric cutter will last beyond a few uses.

UPDATE (April 2012) I have not used this cutter in a few years. While nicely machined it is too difficult to position while still being able to turn the knob at the back of the unit. I've gone back to a battery operated cutter.

6 people found this helpful

3,877 total ratings, 2,495 with reviews

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From the United States

The Platinum XL vs. the TrimIt ...And the Platinum XL Wins!

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2007

Verified Purchase

753 people found this helpful

Helpful

Hoosier Hayseed

This Thing Is Great!

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2014

Verified Purchase

I love this thing.
Just what the doctor ordered. This marvelous little doo-dad, no bigger than a pencil stub, absolutely works wonders!
When I couldn't keep ahead of my nose and ear hair proliferation, and trimming with the round-tip scissors sometimes caused painful ingrown nose hairs, I realized that an instrument especially designed to cut the hairs well enough above the skin line to avoid the ingrown hair problem (which is very annoying, and also very painful) was definitely in order.
Except when I looked in the medicine cabinet, there sat my battery-driven nose-hair trimmer, encrusted with a beautiful blue-green patina of battery corrosion.
So I threw it in the trash, and immediately ordered this.
I really looked forward to using this, because it was touted as not needing batteries of any kind, and was strictly mechanical.
My experience with a cordless shaver caused me to order new cutting blades, when the real problem was just weak batteries.
I had become convinced that the stubble on my neck and under my chin was too tough for a mere cordless shaver, when it finally dawned on me that the batteries just weren't getting the job done. But you don't realize it with a battery-powered shaver, because they are being perpetually recharged. You think the blades are dull, but the motor is actually just not turning fast enough.
This is your first clue that the batteries won't last forever. But it doesn't become immediately apparent that this is the problem: You end up having to buy new blades before you figure it out.
So I ordered a new corded electric shaver, and zipped right through my daily shave in virtually no time at all, and got a perfectly smooth, close shave, almost in an instant.
Suddenly, the stubborn hairs on my neck and under my jaw were no longer any problem whatsoever.
And, by the way: The new electric shaver cost less than batteries alone would have cost for the cordless shaver.
On top of which, on that particular shaver, the batteries weren't simply plug-in replacement batteries; you actually had to have new batteries soldered in place - which meant that you had to find a dealer that would/could do it, and pay his price, whatever that might be.
I hate batteries, anyway. They're a curse, and a source of endless frustration - not to mention being increasingly more expensive.
Of course, we don't really have much choice, do we? If you've got a tool that uses batteries, no matter how much they cost, what are you going to do, not buy more batteries?
I've gone through batteries on hedge trimmers, edgers, drills, lawnmowers, shavers, self-propelled golf carts, and now nose-hair trimmers, and I'm THROUGH WITH BATTERIES! Guess what? You can have a whole platoon of battery-powered tools, but without batteries, THEY ARE WORTHLESS!
And there is no such thing as a universal battery, which will fit everything you've got that needs batteries.
They are all different voltage, and all designed to fit only the specific tool they were made for, but not anything else. Every tool has it's own battery, designed to fit that particular tool.
And of course, they all need the one, specifically designed battery for that particular application, and usually available only from the manufacturer of that particular product.
Which means that whatever price they decide to charge you is the price you pay.
But you do have an alternative. Your alternative is to do without.
Or, very often, they discontinue that model, which means that you may or may not be able to get batteries for it.
Of course, they usually come up with a "new and improved" model, which uses completely different batteries. And by a strange coincidence, the new model is always more expensive.
The question arises: If you can no longer get batteries to fit your old tool - no matter if the tool is still in excellent condition, what good is it?
Oddly enough, you may still be able to find batteries for it, but you discover that they cost more than you originally paid for the tool!
Being faced with this situation a few times, I have decided to exercise my alternative: NO MORE BATTERIES!
But with this little jewel, you won't ever need any kind of battery, and you'll get quick and easy nose and ear grooming, which leaves you feeling clean and neat, and with virtually no effort.
How great is that?
PS: From some of the reviews I've read, I suspect that one problem may be that people are twisting the handle, rather than just turning or twirling it back and forth, as recommended in the instructions.
Just holding the top part steady, and twisting the bottom part back and forth with the other hand, does the job beautifully.
About a quarter-turn to the right and back to the left is all it takes.
I was a little concerned with possibly having hairs pulled or yanked from my nose - which is so painful it brings tears to your eyes.
But not to worry: It's even easier to work the handle back and forth than it is to twist it, and that works to perfection. I have gotten fantastic results - right from the get-go, and I do love it.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

PDJ

Neat Product, Works Well

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2013

Verified Purchase

I've been using this for a bit over a year now to occasionally trim moderate nose hair, and I'm satisfied. I use it only in the nose, as I don't have protruding ear hair. The construction is solid, it functions well, and is easy to clean.

Operation is simple: put it in your nose, gently move it around while twisting the bottom half. It trims the bulk well, but is rather difficult to target single hairs. There's been a few times where I had one stray hair that took a while to get. I've only had it pull hairs a few times out of the many times I've used it. I've never been cut or pinched by the mechanism.

I clean it by rinsing with rubbing alcohol, then twisting the head under running water. The cut hairs come out easily, and it's ready for use again.

Overall I'm highly satisfied with this product. The price is good, it works well and is easy to use, it doesn't use electricity, and is easy to pack for travel.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

A Lazy Panda

Buy it for life

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024

Verified Purchase

Very few things last a lifetime. I bought this in 2010 and am still using it. I've used electric trimmers before, which were not as good, nor lasted. I do not care for anything else as long as I can use my two hands. By the time I can't, I probably will not relatively care about nose hair.

Electric trimmers never trimmed evenly, and they tend to pull hairs, relying on speed to do the cutting. This is one of the manual tools that are superior. The tactile usage helps positioning it accurately, and you control the spinning as you reposition to catch the hairs. The design is great, with a single screw that holds the two halves together, but allow them to rotate freely. I have never needed to lubricate; it is machined to exact tolerances. Hairs get caught between the two halves where a sharp edge will clip it. Hairs cannot be pulled as they are either clipped or slip out.

There is a comfortable knurled surface on both halves where you would hold them. It can stand upright. It's compact and portable. It's solid and hefty.

When learning to use it a mirror may help, and once you get the hand of it you won't need it any more. I find it best to position, rotate until everything's been clipped, reposition and repeat. I start from the outside and progress inward, start again from the outside at the next angle and repeat. It sounds like it takes some time but it truly doesn't.

Helpful

JustAnotherEngineer

Slow but effective - nicely machined - a quality product - yet difficult to use and very SLOW

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2009

Verified Purchase

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kevin M. Franken

painful, slow, leaves long hairs, NOT recommended

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2010

Verified Purchase

I used the Panasonic ER411 for several years before the blades started hitting the top blade enclosure causing a loud clanky noise, so I had to find a new trimmer. I searched amazon.com for reviews of nose hair trimmers, and this product had by far the best and most reviews. I was suspicious that this was not a battery-powered trimmer like the Panasonic one that I loved (but that model was no longer made). But, since I live 55 miles (one way) from the nearest store that sells trimmers, bec. I didn't want to make a special trip JUST for a nose hair trimmer, bec. I REALLY needed to trim my nose hairs, and because this product had a lifetime guarantee, so if I didn't like it, I could send it back and get a full refund, and bec. with 491 reviews at the time of my purchase, with a breakdown as follows:

491 Reviews
5 star: (331)
4 star: (61)
3 star: (29)
2 star: (31)
1 star: (39)

I decided to buy the Groom Mate Platinum XL and try it out for myself. To its credit, it arrived within 3 days of my ordering. I was very excited to test it. The compact and durable/solid/sturdy design is impressive and ingenious.

BUT, I didn't like the Platinum XL nose hair trimmer and am returning it.

1. When I used it, I had painful tugs and yanks of my nose hair, something I didn't have when I used the battery-powered Panasonic ER411. Not all the hairs had painful tugs and yanks, but many more than the Panasonic. My guess is that the speed at which a battery-powered trimmer's blades spin and cut is MUCH FASTER than the speed at which a human using two hands can twist the Platinum XL. The slower speed makes the device tug and yank, causing pain. It's analogous to taking a Band-Aid off your skin: if you pull it off fast/quickly, the pain is over quickly; however, it you pull it off slowly, the pain is more severe. It was very rare for me to have any pain, tugs, or yanks with my Panasonic ER411. I do note that several commenters said their battery-operated trimmer tugged and yanked, but their XL did not. I envy their experience with the XL; it just isn't my experience. I'm wondering if the fact that I always used brand new, fully juiced (not old) batteries when I use my Panasonic trimmer helped me have pain-free and tug/yank-free trimming.

2. The XL does NOT cut the very base of the hair's shaft; it leaves several millimeters of nose hair there, hair that my Panasonic trimmed, almost right down to the skin. When I trim my nose hair, I want it done right and completely. I don't want semi-long hair left in my nose, which makes me have to trim yet again in a week or 2. With my Panasonic, I was able to trim once every 4 weeks, about as often as I cut my head hair.

3. It's slow and time-consuming. With the battery-powered trimmer, trimming my nose hairs took 3 minutes max, and I really pushed it deep into my nostrils to get the hairs hiding in the back. With the XL, it is SO SLOW. It takes forever to just do one nostril, and it does that with more painful tugs and yanks than the Panasonic did.

4. You have to use 2 hands to operate the XL. With my Panasonic, I liked the freedom of one-handed use, so I could use my other hand/fingers to bend or lift my nose in a way to allow the trimmer to better reach and trim areas it couldn't without the bending/lifting.

I'm not a complainer or a perfectionist, and I feel badly writing this review (especially since I'm so outnumbered by folks who wrote positive reviews), but it is the truth as I experienced it. I don't have an alternate/substitute trimmer yet, as again, it's a long drive to the store for me, but I'm gonna have to get a battery-powered one, possibly another Panasonic.

2/20/10 update: Groom Mate has promptly and without hassle refunded my purchase.

4/10/10 update: I have purchased and am VERY HAPPY with the WAHL Ear, Nose, and Brow Wet/Dry Battery Trimmer, Model 41559-300N that I purchased at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $19.99. I have used it once, and although it took a little more time to cut the nose hairs than my trusty Panasonic ER411 did, it cut down to the base of the hair like I wanted/left just a tiny stub behind and did not painfully tug or yank any of my hairs. I have used it only once, but I am very happy with it and highly recommend it. The packaging indicates the product has a generous 30-day money back guarantee and a 3-year limited warranty.

131 people found this helpful

Helpful

James C Smith

SUPERB DEVICE

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

An absolutely superb product. I've had my eye on this for years, and finally decided to get one. The product is perfectly sized and has a solid heft to it. There's nothing cheap about its construction. Nothing. It also trims very closely, and quickly when used correctly.

It only took a few minutes to figure out how to use it best: Hold stationary the half of the device that is furthest from the blades, then quickly rotate in one direction the half closest the blades. If you rotate slowly, it can pull hairs. But if you rotate it even somewhat quickly, it won't cause any pulling. None. Keep in mind that only the last quarter inch is where the cutting occurs, and off you go. Moreover, I wasn't afraid to apply firm pressure of the bladed region to the inside of my nose. It won't cut you, unless you jam it into soft tissue.

And, as a man would use an electric razor on his face, he must move it around, back and forth, to get truly close. One straight pass won't do it. Nothing complicated; it's just common sense.

Also, with the release of a single set screw, you can pull it apart to clean and oil it, as you wish.

The price seems to vary, but Honey will help tell you when to buy. I got mine for under $16 through Amazon.

DEC 2019 UPDATE:
I dropped one of my trimmers onto ceramic flooring and bent one of the tines slightly, but enough to keep it from rotating freely. I contacted Groom Mate customer service and they immediately lived up to their word on lifetime guarantee. They sent me a new one promptly, only asking I provide some form of a receipt for buying it. (That was easy, since all I had to do was search on the word "groom" in my Amazon Orders.) They accepted my previous Amazon Order Number as a valid receipt.

The replacement seems to be made even better and to tighter tolerances. Did its job quickly, comfortably, closely, and thoroughly. I love when products operate as advertised, and this one most certainly does.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

nartmot

Great design and a great product. No batteries to charge.

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2014

Verified Purchase

I have tried several hair trimmers over the years--small scissors, other manual trimmers, and all manner of electric trimmers. This is my favorite because of how easy it is to use and how compact it is. I used my last one for about 3 years before I dropped it in the sink, causing a small misalignment in the blades. I just purchased a second one and with the proper care, it should last me a lifetime.

Tips:
-The included brush is handy, but once in a while, clean it with a blast of compressed air and lube it with some food grade mineral oil to keep its operation smooth. Dont just use any grease or oil because you are sticking this thing up your nose!
-Always keep it in its case when you aren't using it.
-Use the proper technique: After inserting it into your nose, don't just turn it continuously in one direction--you are suppose to turn it back and forth.

Pros:
-Solid, simple construction. No motor to fail. Beefy blades that will probably never need sharpening.
-No batteries to replace or charge.
-Doesn't pull hair or tickle my nose.
-Compact
-Made in the USA
-Lifetime warranty
-Stainless

Cons:
-Dont let the heft and robust appearance fool you, the cutting head does not take any abuse. Any misalignment in the blades caused by a bump or drop and this thing will be pulling hair instead of cutting it.
-The case, which is very necessary due to the first con I listed, seems like an afterthought. Its just a cheap plastic piece of tubing with a cap. Seems flimsy and does not provide much protection. I am still looking for a better case.
-------------------------
8 YEAR Update: Back for my third one today. These are small and slippery little buggers. One small drop into the sink or onto the floor and the blades will become irrecoverably misaligned turning this into a medieval torture device. My second replacement didn't operate as smoothly and required extra care not to pull hairs. Still, you cant beat the simplicity of this device. No batteries to worry about. You can revoke my man card if you want, but I must also add that it doesn't tickle my nose as much as electric trimmers.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

albert bernard winschel

Solid Product

Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024

Verified Purchase

I was initially worried about this purchase as with the first couple of attempts with it I ended up yanking hairs out, however, after a moment of practice I had it down and now love this thing. It is far smaller than the previous travel trimmer I had (though weight wise it is comparable) and is a great addition to anyone on the go or who has just gotten tired of changing batteries. Well worth the money! Sorry, no picture with this review. No one wants to see this thing in action in my nose...

Helpful

Fin

Great quality

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

Great USA-made quality

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