There’s no doubt – vacuum-based hair clippers are awesome especially if you’re planning to trim your hair (or pet fur) at home. And…there’s not an ounce of doubt that Flowbee and Robocut are two of the leading names in this realm.
As these two have dominated the market for decades, it’s not unusual to find people drawing comparisons between them.
So, is Robocut better than Flowbee? Or is it vice versa? We conducted our independent assessment of the two and here are some mind-blowing discoveries we made.
Quick Overview of the Two Vacuum Hair Trimmers
First things first, for those who have been living under the rock that is, some quick introductions.
Flowbee is the creation of Rick E. Hunts, a former carpenter based out of San Diego, California. The product has been on the market since 1988 and has a cult-like following from customers who often use great words to describe it.
Robocut is equally a darling among its loyal consumers. The electric hair clipper has been around since the 80s and is a brain-child of Dr. Alfred Natrasevschi (once an R&D at HP).
Now that we’re done with the pleasantries, it’s time for the rubber to meet the road. Let’s now examine the similarities and differences between Robocut and its rival Flowbee.
Key Differences Emerge When You Pit Flowbee vs Robocut
Although both are popular trimmers for budget-conscious shoppers, they are not exactly alike. A closer look reveals a whole world of differences between Robocut and Flowbee.
The Ability to Make Small Adjustments for Accurate Trimming
Robocut enables you to make small adjustments to hair length by setting the hair-length dial. However, with Flowbee you can only adjust in ¼” increments and cut hair from ½” to 6”. So, you’re likely to get more precision and versatility with Robocut than with Flowbee.
Blade adjustability allows you to trim all kinds of hair, from coarse to fine. So, if you’re looking for unlimited versatility go for Robocut as it gives you more options.
Winner: Robocut
Which One Pulls Hair
Life is too short to keep up with a trimmer that pulls hair and causes hair loss. So, which one of these two is the gentler one?
In our view, Robocut works best during the first few years of use but eventually starts pulling hair unless you keep replacing its rotary blades when they get dull.
Flowbee might not stun with the first impression, but it keeps working fine, doesn’t pull hair, and is safe for use long-term in kids.
And the devil is in the details. Robocut shaves through circular motion. It is designed to follow the contours of your head making it easier to maneuver around the chin and neck.
While this is a good thing, it leaves Robocut with a greater likelihood of pulling hair especially when the blades get blunt.
To avoid this, consider sharpening or replacing the blades. Also, oil the device thoroughly before and after use – this can help prolong the life of the blades.
Winner: Flowbee
Cutting Surface Area
Moving on with our Flowbee versus Robocut discussion, we’d now like to examine the difference in the cutting surface areas.
Flowbee – Has a large rectangular head that covers lots of surface area thereby helping you to complete your cuts faster. Definitely a good choice when you want to make some nice hair styles e.g. bowl cuts.
Robocut – Although has a small circular cutting surface area, it provides better variegated results easily…that said, with a bit of practice Robocut can still deliver good results.
Winner: Flowbee
Maintenance
Flowbee – Generally requires less maintenance than Robocut throughout its life, otherwise, both are good products with good value for money. That said, Flowbee blades require to be replaced once in a while depending on use. New replacements cost $45 (quite costly in our view).
Robocut blades definitely outlast Flowbee ones. They are also removable and replaceable but the process isn’t as straightforward (luckily, these instructions are available on the official website). Plus, Robocut replacement blades are cheaper at $30 per unit.
Winner: Robocut
Which One’s Quieter
Robocut – It’s quieter than Flowbee. This is probably because Flowbee uses vibrational blades while Robocut uses rotating/circular blades. Vibrational blades work a lot faster and harder than the rotating ones hence the noise. Plus, they also have a higher risk of breaking.
That said, both can be a bother if you’re highly sensitive to noise. Even Robocut produces a low pitch sound that some can’t stand. If you’re one of those, consider using ear plugs.
Winner: Robocut
Build-Quality
Robocut – in our view has better build-quality, its attachments and extensions feel quite well made to the touch. Flowbee blades tend to wear out faster and are prone to breaking – as we’ve already pointed out, their vibrational nature design has them working harder than rotational blades.
Winner: Robocut
Flowbee Vs Robocut Similarities
Now that we have addressed the elephant in the room, it’s time to shed light on some of the areas of commonality between these two major brands. Let’s take a look:
- Both devices are designed to be attached to standard vacuum cleaners
- Talking about vacuum cleaners, both models come with optional mini-vacs that you can opt for if you don’t have a vacuum at home
- The technology used by both translates into cleaner haircuts with zero mess
- No doubt, these two are plug-and-play type of devices meaning you can use them even with zero experience
- Both enable you to shave hair to different lengths by making adjustments although Robocut gives you extra freedom
- Separate power connections are needed for the hair-cutter as well as the vacuum cleaner
- Both companies sell accessories such as replacement blades, vacuum adapters, lubricating oil on their official websites
Verdict – Which One To Choose
Both are fantastic. Whichever one you settle for; you’re assured to get your money’s worth. Robocut, in our view, is the better option – but don’t let the results of our research fool you. The gap is not that wide. Flowbee makes fantastic hair cutting systems. So it all boils down to individual preferences.
That said, we hope that our comparison will help you make a more informed decision when you set out to shop for one of them.
