Philips Norelco Body Groomer 7000 (BG7480) Review: The Best One Yet?

Last year, Philips finally updated one of their most popular body trimmers, the Bodygroom 7000 Series.

And while that model was (and still is) a very solid option, it also had some quirks.

It was bulky and heavy, very noisy, and at times awkward and clunky to use.

The new generation, called the Body Groomer 7000 Series, addresses most of those issues, but also comes with a couple of its own.

I’ve been using the BG7480 model alongside the old BG7030 for a few months, and in this review, I’ll share everything you need to know.

You’ll find out how well the new Body Groomer 7000 trims body hair, including pubic hair, and how it compares to the previous generation.

Finally, I’ll point out a few alternatives that would be more suitable in several specific use cases.

The new Body Groomer 7000: model comparison

The first thing I noticed about the new generation was the subtle name change: Body Groomer 7000 Series.

The old one was called the Bodygroom 7000 Series.

I think this name tweak was just a way to differentiate it more and avoid any confusion with the outgoing 7000 series.

In the USA, there are currently three models in the new Body Groomer 7000 family: BG7470/50, BG7480/50, and BG7490/50.

Model	Accessories	Price
1. BG7470/50	2 x adjustable guard (1-3mm, 3-7mm), intimate guard (1mm), back extension, USB cable, string storage pouch	Walmart
2. BG7480/50	2 x adjustable guard (1-3mm, 3-7mm), intimate guard (1mm), back extension, USB cable, charge stand, string storage pouch	Amazon
3. BG7490/50	2 x adjustable guard (1-3mm, 3-7mm), intimate guard (1mm), 2 x bi-directional guard (2mm, 3mm), back extension, USB cable, charge stand, zipper storage pouch	Amazon

The only differences are a few extra accessories, shown in bold in the table above.

Everything else, including performance, battery life, etc., is identical.

With the range-topping BG7490, you’re getting two extra bi-directional guards (2mm and 3mm) and a nicer travel pouch fitted with a zipper.

The bi-directional guards are in my opinion less effective and redundant (more on that later).

I went with the BG7480 since it seemed the most balanced in terms of price and features/accessories.

The review will, however, be relevant for any of the BG7470, BG7480, and BG7490 models.

In Europe, we get a few variations, very similar to the ones in the USA.

The European BG7480 for example is identical, but it’s called BG7480/15 or BG7480/30, while the USA models have /50 in the model name (e.g. BG7480/50).

(I will generally leave out the /50 for the sake of simplicity.)

Main features

Let’s quickly go over the main features of the new Body Groomer 7000.

1. Two swappable cutting attachments

This is arguably the main selling point of the Body Groomer line, making it a highly versatile all-in-one body hair trimmer.

We’re getting two different, interchangeable cutting attachments that can be easily snapped onto the groomer’s body:

• 1 x foil head attachment for close, skin-level trimming (including the pubic area)
• 1 x trimmer blade + guards attachment for cutting hair at a certain length

The previous generation Bodygroom 7000 offered these cutters as well, but the groomer had them both permanently bolted on at both ends.

It also used two separate motors with dedicated switches, making it large, heavy, and the trimmer + guards head was cumbersome to use.

With the new Body Groomer 7000, you simply click in place the attachment you need and start trimming.

The BG7480 model comes with two adjustable guards (1–3mm, 3–7mm) and one fixed Intimate guard (1mm).

Most Body Groomer 7000 variations will include these three guards that go over the trimmer blade attachment.

2. Flexible foil head

The foil head attachment of the new Body Groomer 7000 can actually flex.

And Philips presents it as the defining feature of the 7000 Series and one that sets it apart from the more affordable Body Groomer 5000.

However, unlike the old Bodygroom 7000 head, which swiveled front to back, the new one moves from side to side:

In my opinion, they should have kept the previous front-to-back design, as it was a lot more useful and practical.

In the performance section of the review, I’ll break down what this means for the new series and how it compares to the previous generation.

3. Long battery life

As with most body trimmers on the market, the Body Groomer 7000 will only work cordless.

Therefore, a large battery is a must. Luckily, the new models received a significant upgrade in that department.

The rechargeable Li-ion battery now provides 120 minutes worth of cordless trimming, which is very impressive for a groomer of this type and size.

The old BG7030, despite being larger, only managed around 80 minutes on a single charge.

4. LED light

Proper lighting is one of the most underrated considerations when trimming body hair.

Being able to clearly see what you’re doing instantly makes your trimming session more enjoyable.

So when I found out that both cutting attachments are fitted with an LED light, I was very excited.

It’s a genuinely handy feature that I really enjoyed while using other groomers that had it.

For example, the Manscaped Lawn Mower 5 Ultra has a very capable LED (sadly, that’s pretty much the only good thing about that trimmer).

5. Waterproof, wet/dry use

While most men should probably use the Body Groomer 7000 dry, its waterproof build has a very practical upside: effortless cleaning.

You can quickly rinse it with tap water, and you’re all set.

Build quality and ergonomics

The new Body Groomer 7000 is a complete departure from the outgoing Bodygroom 7000 (BG7030).

Visually and ergonomically, they couldn’t be more different, even though functionally, there’s almost a perfect overlap.

The body of the trimmer is still made of plastic and it comes in matte black and some teal blue accents.

The build feels sturdy, though not special (like the all-metal Multigroom 7000).

However, the way the attachments click in place and remain securely attached is very good.

I never had any issues in that regard, and I used my BG7480 extensively.

Removing an attachment is also super quick and easy, as you just press the release button on the back.

As a side note, the way the cutting attachments and guards work on the much hyped Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 is rudimentary in comparison.

The two adjustable Philips guards (1–3mm, 3–7mm) have a built-in dial or lever for on-the-fly length selection.

Both work really well and quite smoothly, but they make the guards bulkier, especially the 1–3mm.

On that one, the coin edge of the dial could have been grippier as well.

And speaking of grip, this is one area where Philips should have done a better job.

The Body Groomer 7000 lacks a rubber sleeve, and the matte surface of the plastic has a powdery texture, which doesn’t help either.

The old generation had generous rubber inserts on the sides and front, which provided fantastic grip.

Luckily, the new one is smaller and lighter (around 50g lighter), so it’s not too bad despite the lack of any grippy inserts.

The power button of the new model also doubles as a travel lock (via a long press), which is a plus.

And on the subject of the power button, you can accidentally press it during use if you wrap or rest your finger over it.

It takes very little force to push the button and has a very shallow travel.

I did turn it off a couple of times, but fortunately, it wasn’t a recurring issue.

Moving on, the foil head now allows side-to-side flexing, which is in my opinion a downgrade vs the previous Bodygroomer 7000.

Not only does it have a very limited range of motion, but it takes a lot of force to move it — during normal use, you would never press this hard.

Moreover, even if it were to move properly, a side-to-side tilt doesn’t help much.

In contrast, the front-to-back motion of the old generation actually alters the angle of the foil head relative to the groomer’s body.

This gives you more leverage and you can hold the groomer more naturally and comfortably.

So regarding the design of the head flexing, I think the old one fares better, especially when trimming the pubic area.

That’s when I missed the front-to-back flexing the most. Not a huge deal overall, but worth mentioning.

The new Body Groomer 7000 does redeem itself with the trimmer blade attachment + guards.

It is much easier to use, the groomer is better balanced, and you have excellent control regardless of which body part you’re trimming.

The old Bodygroom 7030 was very cluncky and awkward when using the trimmer+guard head.

And we now get an LED light as well.

I don’t know if my eyesight is getting poorer, but I find the flashlight of the 7000 Series to be on the weak side.

I’ve read several user reviews saying the brightness is strong enough, so maybe it’s just me.

Key takeaway

Weighing up the pros and cons of the new Body Groomer 7000, I’d say it’s been improved.

It’s more user-friendly and more versatile, especially if you trim the hair down to a specific length (using the trimmer blade + guards).

That said, the flexing mechanism is a step back; the foil head is essentially fixed now, just like the one on the more affordable Body Groomer 5000.

Included accessories

As we know, what you’re getting with your Body Groomer 7000 depends on which model you buy.

You can refer to the table above to see the list of accessories for each one.

I bought the BG7480 (USA model), which came with the following items:

• foil head attachment
• trimmer blade attachment
• 2 x adjustable guard (1–3mm, 3–7mm)
• intimate guard (1mm)
• charging stand
• Philips-to-USB-A cable
• cleaning brush
• back extention
• drawstring storage pouch

I think it’s quite an extensive kit that offers good value for money.

The BG7480 costs slightly more than the outgoing BG7030, but you do get more stuff.

Philips does not include a USB-A charger with any of the Body Groomer 7000, so you will have to buy one or use a charger you already have.

It will work with any USB-A charger.

Also related to charging, the stand is redundant/optional, in the sense that you can plug the cable directly into the groomer.

The only letdown is the storage pouch included with the BG7480 variant.

It’s the most basic cloth bag, and doesn’t offer much protection against mechanical shocks.

The BG7490 comes with a better and more practical zipped base, though it’s still soft.

Body Groomer 7000 performance

And now for the most important part of the review: how well the new Body Groomer 7000 works.

I’ve been using my BG7480 for almost three months in a variety of ways, and I think I’ve covered just about every use case.

Depending on your personal preference, you may want a close, skin-level trim or just to take some length off.

Or perhaps a combination of both; for example, a close shave in the groin area, and a neat 5mm trim across the rest of the body.

With the two cutting attachments, the 7000 Series should be able to handle anything you throw at it, so let’s see how it fared.

Trimming/shaving sensitive areas (pubic hair, armpits)

The foil head of the Body Groom range is ideal for safely cutting hair close to the skin.

The two exposed shearing blades have rounded teeth, while the foil element only cuts the remaining stubble that pokes through the holes.

It’s therefore suitable even for sensitive areas, with thin or wrinkly skin that is prone to nicks and irritation.

Philips even explicitly put Body & Balls in large markup on the box.

I’ve used Philips body groomers for years to get a close shave in the groin area and this new 7000 Series doesn’t disappoint.

It’s effective, fast, easy to use, and provided you’re not sloppy, it shouldn’t snag the hairs or nick the skin.

And it’s the same for trimming armpit hair at skin level — it’s super smooth, fast, and gentle.

You would lead with the bottom blade, making sure the stroke is controlled and you’re pulling the groomer against the hair grain.

You would need a very shallow angle between the groomer and the area you’re trimming.

Also, don’t go super fast or jam the foil head into a dense patch of hair — that’s when it can snag some hairs.

You can then follow up with the foil part by angling the groomer more upright, so that only the foil part of the head is now in contact with the skin.

Tip: never try to shave long hairs directly with the foil — there’s a good chance it’ll pull them. Instead, use the bottom blade to pre-trim (against the grain), then follow up with the foil. If the hair is very long, you can even use the trimmer blade attachment + guard to debulk first.

The closeness of the foil head is excellent, about as good as it gets from an electric trimmer without any nicks and irritation.

You might still feel a bit of stubble if you run your hand against the grain, or if the hair is very coarse and thick.

The new foil replacement cartridge (BG2010) is even better than before; I think it cuts the hair a bit closer, and it feels more refined and smoother.

Granted, it would have been ideal had Philips decided to keep the front-to-back flexing (this is specific to the new 7000, not to the BG2010 cartridge).

However, it’s not too bad since the foil attachment of the new generation isn’t angled down so aggressively.

Because of that, you can hold it more comfortably, even if the head doesn’t flex front-to-back.

Strictly when using the foil head, I think the old BG7030 edges ahead because of the better grip and flexing.

But when trimming pubic hair at a certain length (1mm and up), the new one is a clear improvement with its trimmer blade attachment and guards.

The ergonomics are much better, and it’s a lot more enjoyable than the old model.

It’s perfectly balanced, and despite the bulky profile of the adjustable guards, the front part with the combs is slim and makes them easy to use.

So if you prefer not to trim pubic hair close to the skin, the new Body Groomer 7000 is great and objectively better than before.

The blade cuts even dense hair with ease, and the flashlight is more useful since it’s not obscured by the groomer’s body (like it is when using the foil head).

You can choose the Intimate guard for cutting the hair 1mm above the skin or the adjustable guards for anything between 1 and 7mm.

For trimming pubic and armpit hair, I think that range will be suitable for most users.

Even though Philips mentions rounded tips for the trimmer blade as well, I find it a lot less forgiving than the blades of the foil head.

For that reason, I would always use it with a guard and just switch to the foil head whenever you need a close trim.

Some Body Groomer 7000 variations, like the BG7490, include additional bi-directional guards that go over the foil head.

I never really liked those, as the blades of the foil head are designed to work best directly on the skin, and not be offset by a guard.

Plus, the foil element itself can pull some hairs that poke through it if it’s not flat against the skin.

So in my experience, the bi-directional guards are not that useful.

And they are redundant, since you can already use the excellent adjustable guards to get the desired length.

Key takeaway

The new Philips Body Groomer 7000 is still one of the very best options for trimming sensitive areas (groin, armpits), be it at skin level or at a certain length.

Trimming/shaving the rest of the body (legs, arms, abs, back)

If a groomer can easily manage sensitive areas, it’s usually more than capable of handling everything else.

It will of course need to be powerful enough and fitted with adequate cutting attachments.

I’m happy to report that the Body Groomer 7000 Series passed the test with flying colors.

In fact, it was better than I expected it to be.

The new so-and-so flexing foil head doesn’t matter too much when you’re not trimming pubic hair, so if you want a close, skin-level trim across the entire body, it can do that effortlessly.

The foil head used by various trimmers in the Body Groomer line is in my opinion the safest and most effective option to achieve that.

Using other trimmers with an exposed shearing blade will be slower and a lot more likely to nick the skin.

The new Philips Body Groomer 7000 remains the best compromise for a full body skin-level shave/trim.

If, however, you prefer a bit more length (I personally do), then the trimmer blade attachment + guards are the way to go.

With this cutter in place, the new Body Groomer 7000 will essentially turn into a push-style trimmer that you push against the hair grain.

At first, I found the guards a bit pointy, but they got somewhat blunt after several uses, so it wasn’t a problem.

Again, I would strongly recommend using the trimmer blade attachment with a guard — if you need a skin-close trim, just switch to the foil head.

With the included adjustable guards, you can choose between 1 and 7mm.

And while this was perfectly fine for the pubic area, I would have liked to see a larger guard included (10mm or even 15mm).

Some men just want to trim some of the bulk, and with the Body Groomer 7000, you’ll be limited to 7mm.

The old Bodygroom BG7030 could go up to 11mm, but it was not as easy and pleasant to use because of its size, unbalanced weight, and large/scratchy guard.

Those issues were completely addressed with the new Body Groomer 7000, and it’s a nimbler and more user-friendly groomer.

With the trimmer blade + guard in place, you can even do swooping strokes without it getting clogged or stuck, and it’s maneuverable enough for the more tricky areas (hamstrings, back of the knee).

I will say, however, that a Philips Multigroom 7000 or 9000 is probably the best push-style body groomer out there.

If you only need to cut body hair at a certain length, so not at skin level, the Multigroom is the more capable machine (more details in the Alternatives section).

But overall, as a versatile trimmer that can do it all, including a full-body, skin-close shave, the Body Groomer 7000 will be a better choice for most men.

Back extention

The BG7480 and most 7000 Series variants are bundled with a new back extension.

It’s much better designed and sturdier than the previous back extensions shipped with the old Bodygroom 5000.

The trimmer is held very securely in place, and you can reach far down your back, not just the shoulder blade area.

You will always use the foil head attachment with the back extension, so the hair will be trimmed at skin level.

This is the only use case where the bi-directional guards included with the BG7490 for example would be truly useful.

I don’t have much hair on my back, so I didn’t get to properly test how effective the new extension is.

But it certainly seems like a useful accessory should you need it.

Noise during use

The old Bodygroom 7000 was probably the loudest trimmer I’ve ever used.

The new generation is a bit better, but I would still call it loud.

The foil head attachment doesn’t vibrate quite as much, but like any foil machine, it still makes a noticeable buzz.

The blade trimmer is loud as well, louder than the Multigroom Series from Philips.

So if you need a quiet body groomer, this is not it.

The quieter options are the Multigroom 7000/9000 or the compact OneBlade or Braun XT5.

But those compact trimmers are nowhere near as capable or as fast, so it’s a big compromise you’ll be making just to have a quiet groomer.

Cleaning and maintenance

Ideally, you’d want to clean your Body Groomer 7000 after every use.

It may sound like a lot of cleaning, but fortunately, it is super quick and easy.

There are two ways you can go about this: using only the included brush or a combo of brush + tap water.

The latter will of course be the most effective method, so here’s how it goes.

Once you finish your trimming session, turn the groomer off and remove the cutting attachment by pressing the release button.

In the case of the foil head, you’d want to also remove the bi-directional guard if you used one.

Remove the foil cartridge from its attachment by prying it off with your thumbnail from one of he 4 plastic corners.

After that, you can brush the inner part (aka hair chamber) of the attachment. Do not use the brush directly on the foil as it can easily get damaged.

Rinse the foil cartridge and hair chamber thoroughly with lukewarm water, gently pat them with a cloth or paper towel and let them air dry (detached).

For the trimmer + guard attachment, you would again first detach it from the groomer by pressing the release button.

Remove any guard it might have attached, and you can now detach the actual blade for proper cleaning.

Simply press down on the teeth with your thumb, and it should come right out (when putting it back in place, start by first inserting the bottom part).

With everything taken apart, you can use the brush to remove any hairs stuck to the blade and plastic parts.

After that, rinse the trimmer blade and hair chamber thoroughly.

Make sure you wash both sides of the blade.

The plastic guards and the groomer’s body can simply be rinsed under the tap as well.

Philips doesn’t mention anything about lubrication, but you could use a spray cleaner and lubricant for clippers every once in a while.

It cleans and also lubricates the moving metal parts, so it can’t hurt.

That’s pretty much it — everything takes less than two minutes, and as long as you clean your groomer regularly, there won’t be any dirt buildups.

Battery life and charging

All Philips Body Groomer 7000 models come with a Li-ion battery that provides 120 minutes of cordless use from a single charge.

That’s a reassuring number since you can’t use the 7000 Series while it’s charging.

For a modular trimmer of this size, 120 minutes is excellent.

Charging takes around one hour and you must use the supplied Philips-to-USB-A cable.

It works with any USB-A charger, but this is still not as practical as having a USB-C port on the groomer.

A charging stand is included as well, so you can either use it or just plug the cable directly into the groomer.

Philips (Norelco) has a great track record when it comes to battery life and especially battery longevity.

I have a few old Bodygroom models that I bought more than10 years ago, and the battery still holds a decent charge.

So apart from the lack of USB-C, my only other complaint with the new 7000 Series is the very basic battery indicator.

It’s just an LED that will flash red when it’s time to charge the battery.

A 3-level indicator would have been more useful, but at least there’s a 5-minute quick charge function if you’re caught off guard and in a hurry.

Replacement parts availability

As we know, Philips also updated the foil head cartridge for the latest Body Groomer 7000 generation.

The new replacement part with that distinctive teal frame is called BG2100 and it’s readily available for purchase at a very reasonable price.

Philips BG2010 Replacement Foil Head

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Philips says you should change it once every year, but that will of course depend on how often you use your groomer.

Also, the density and thickness of the hair will matter as well.

From my previous experience with the old foil head (BG2000), it usually lasts way past the 1-year mark.

Also, this new BG2100 foil head is backward compatible with the old Bodygroom 7000.

So if you already own a BG7030/BG7040 or plan to buy one, you will be able to easily upgrade it.

Now, Philips only mentions the foil head in the Replacement parts section of the user manual.

But as we know, the Body Groomer 7000 also has a trimmer blade attachment and even though that blade is removable, Philips doesn’t sell it separately (at least not right now).

These blades normally don’t need to be replaced, but if for some reason, you need a new one, I can confirm that the blades from the Multigroom 7000 and 9000 will fit perfectly.

I just popped the blade from my Multigroom 9000 in place and it works just like the original one that came with the Body Groom 7000:

Moreover, the Multigroom blade is sturdier and of higher quality.

As you can tell from the photo above, the static blade is a single metal plate instead of metal+plastic.

These blades have the part number 422203632751 (or 422203632211) and can be bought from Amazon or Encompass.

Takeaway — Should you buy the new Body Groomer 7000?

In short, yes.

Just like the previous generation, it’s a safe buy for most users looking for a capable body hair trimmer that can do it all.

In fact, I’d say it’s now more user-friendly and versatile, and the specs are better too (LED light, larger battery).

See the price on Amazon

In my opinion, the main strength of the new Body Groomer 7000 is its ability to cut hair at skin level AND at a certain length in a safe, effective, and enjoyable manner.

Most other groomers out there can’t do that.

For example, the old generation worked brilliantly at cutting hair close to the skin, but was awkward and clunky when using the trimmer + guard.

The cons are few and none of them are deal-breakers, so I think the new 7000 is overall a worthy successor of the popular BG7030/BG7040.

All things considered, including price, availability and cost of ownership, it’s arguably the best body groomer out there right now.

I think other available options would only be better in a couple of specific use cases, so let’s quickly check them out.

Alternatives

1. The old Bodygroom 7000 (BG7030/BG7040)

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If you’re debating whether to buy the new Body Groomer 7000 (BG7480, BG7490 etc) or the BG7030/BG7040, I think the choice can be very simple.

If you’ll only be using the groomer for a close, skin-level trim/shave, the BG7030 has a slight advantage because of its head flexing and better grip.

If you can find a great deal, I think the old generation would be at least as good in this scenario.

Otherwise, the trimmer + guard experience is better with the new Body Groomer 7000.

2. Philips Multigroom 7000

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On the other hand, if you’ll only be using the groomer to cut hair at a specific length, so you would have no use for the foil head, then you should buy the Multigroom 7000 instead.

It’s much quieter, the battery life is outstanding (5 hours+), it’s built like a tank with an all-metal body and it comes with a variety of attachments.

And if you need even more accessories, then you can buy the Multigroom 9000.

Body Groomer 5000 vs 7000 vs 9000 Series

You may have noticed a couple of interesting new options alongside the 7000:

• Body Groomer 5000 Series
• Body Groomer 9000 Series

The model name obviously hints at the hierarchy, with the 5000 being the lowest in the pecking order.

The 7000 reviewed here is right in the middle, while the 9000 is the range-topping line.

However, the performance differences between all three will be subtle if any at all.

The 5000 Series features a fixed head, doesn’t have the LED light, and the battery is a bit smaller, with 100 minutes of cordless use.

There’s also no back extension included.

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But apart from these, it will perform exactly the same as the Body Groomer 7000 Series.

So it’s a worthy option if you can buy one for (significantly) less money.

The flexing head of the 7000 is not a must-have in my opinion, and the LED light, while useful, could have been stronger.

Let’s now check out the Body Groomer 9000 Series.

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If you’re curious how that one fares against the 7000 Series, well, you’d be surprised to know that it’s identical performance-wise.

The differences only come down to accessories.

We can think of the Body Groomer 9000 as being just a 7000 Series with more stuff included.

The two 9000 models available in the USA are the BG9480/50 and BG9485/50.

Apart from the bi-directional guards included with the latter, the main accessory specific to the 9000 Series is a UV cleaner.

It’s an interesting device, but I don’t consider it a must-have.

UV light is only effective against microorganisms; you would still need to properly clean the groomer with water.

The UV cube doesn’t clean dirt, it only tackles microscopic germs/bacteria.

The foil head for example is super intricate, and the UV light is only effective against microorganisms in direct light.

But if the idea of such a device is appealing, then you can of course get the 9000 instead; it will shave and trim the same as the 7000.

It does cost more, but the BG9485/50, which also includes an extra BG2010 foil head, looks like a compelling package.

If you don’t care for the UV cleaner, just stick to the 7000 Series and save some money.

And that wraps up my review of the new Philips Body Groomer 7000.

If you have any questions or you’d like to share your experience, make sure to leave a comment below.