A Blue Ribbon winner, and a side by side look at both Panasonic Body Groomer models.
I am a very hairy person. Matter of fact. And I like having my body hair in some places more than others. Namely, I hate having back hair, but I love having chest hair. I like to keep all the fur tidied up, except for the back hair, which has to go. So with that as my basis, I think Panasonic’s Body Groomers are the best, thanks to smart design and customization.
My opinion is largely formed by my single years (sans roommate, too), when I had to trim my own back hair without a helpful hand. As long as you can lift your arm up over your shoulder, and also back around your torso from either side… then you can totally tidy up your entire back with these tools. The vertical mouth is what rules here—it is so smart for this kind of trimming, compared to the horizontal guards that most beard and body trimmers provide. Not to mention, its angled/beveled head that forms a V shape to fit neatly into armpits, underbuts, anywhere you might want to tidy things up… brilliant. No irritation, customized lengths, no nicks… no notes.
And in my opinion, the newer Panasonic model (the ER-GK80-S) is the one to get. It’s the upgraded successor to the excellent ER-GK60-S, with stronger trimming power, more precision, and adjustable length settings for tailoring your trim anywhere. The V-shaped head design reaches tricky areas with ease (chest, underarms, groin) while minimizing the risk of nicks.
GET THE ER-GK-80-S: AMAZON // PANASONIC
Why It Stands Out
- Upgrade worth making: Compared to the ER-GK60-S, you get better battery life, more cutting power, and extra comb attachments.
- Skin-safe design: Rounded blades and a narrow head reduce irritation in sensitive areas.
- Versatility: Wet/dry use, cordless, and easy to rinse clean in seconds.
Check out all the Blue Ribbon – winning grooming products — those we call “the best grooming products of all time” (from the tens of thousands we have ever tested).
Panasonic Body Groomer Comparison: ER-GK80-S vs. ER-GK60
So, I already raved about the newer model, the ER-GK80 above. But if you prefer something a touch lighter or more budget-friendly, the ER-GK60-S still ranks among the best.
SIDE BY SIDE PANASONIC BODY GROOMER COMPARISON: ER-GK80-S VS ER-GK60-S
At the time of writing this, there are two core Panasonic body groomer models that are similar in design and performance. The ER-GK80-S (the newer model), and the ER-GK60-S (the older, classic model).
Price wise, the older model is about 30% less costly, too, so it begs the question: Which of these devices is the better value? Let’s take a look.
Panasonic Body Groomer Comparison — Shared Core Features:
- Head Design: V-shaped narrow head for easier reach on chest, underarms, and groin
- Blade Type: Rounded hypoallergenic stainless-steel blades to minimize nicks and irritation
- Use & Cleaning: Cordless wet/dry use; rinses clean under running water
Stats: Panasonic ER-GK80-S (newer model)
- Trim Lengths: Adjustable 3-position comb (~ 0.08″, 0.12″, 0.16″) plus detail and skin guard attachments
- Motor Power: Higher-torque motor trims coarse or dense hair more quickly
- Battery: Lithium-ion
- Run Time: 50 minutes
- Charge Time: 1 hour
- Weight & Grip: Slightly heavier with upgraded textured grip for better control
- Charging: Includes charging stand
- Cost: Around $115 USD
GET THE ER-GK-80-S: AMAZON // PANASONIC
Stats: Panasonic ER-GK60-S (earlier model)
- Trim Lengths: Single fixed-length comb (≈ 0.08″) plus detail and skin guard attachments
- Motor Power: Standard motor—adequate for most hair types but slower on thick/coarse hair
- Battery: Ni-MH
- Run Time: 40 minutes run-time
- Charge Time: 8-hour full charge
- Weight & Grip: Lighter with basic matte plastic finish
- Charging: Direct cord connection; no stand included
- Cost: Around $80 USD
GET THE ER-GK-60-S: AMAZON // PANASONIC
Why Panasonic’s ER-GK80-S (Newer Body Groomer) is the Better Buy
The ER-GK60-S earned a loyal following for being simple, reliable, and extremely gentle. It was one of the few body trimmers that could handle sensitive areas without leaving irritation behind. Its single fixed comb length, smart design for crevices and over-the-shoulder self trims were part of the appeal for guys who wanted a straightforward, no-nick trim.
There’s a lot of criticism of the newer model (in terms of being $40-50 more expensive), citing that the feature updates don’t enhance the end result. And while both devices do deliver terrific results (esp for the guy who is torquing his arms to trim his own backside)… I still stand by the newer model as the superior choice and of great value. Here’s why:
- More Trimming Options, Fewer Parts: The newer model has that adjustable 3-position comb, and it replaces multiple attachments
- Stronger Motor: This newer model cuts through coarse or dense hair more quickly, which means less time and fewer passes. It’s a terrific tool for beard necklines, too.
- Faster Charging: One-hour full charge (lithium ion) versus the older model’s eight-hour charge (Ni-MH).
- Longer Battery Life: The lithium ion battery also runs for about 50 minutes compared to 40 minutes on the earlier model. (I would love if future models can last 3 hours or more…)
- Better Grip: The upgraded textured handle improves control, especially in the shower or for when your arms are contorted behind your back.
- Included Stand: Now it charges neatly and keeps the trimmer stored upright between uses.
Are both models great? Absolutely. I just think the upgrade is worth it here, hence why it gets a Blue Ribbon from us.
GET THE NEWER MODEL (ER-GK-80-S): AMAZON // PANASONIC
GET THE OLDER MODEL (ER-GK-60-S) : AMAZON // PANASONIC
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