Panasonic GK80 Body Groomer Review: An Innovative Tool for Managing Hair Everywhere

THE BENEFIT OF a body groomer (versus something like an electric razor) is that it allows you to more easily customize the length and volume of hair anywhere on your body (for the most part) to give you complete control over what look you prefer—and the possibility to easily change it when you want to try something new. That’s not to say all body groomers are equally good at getting this job done, however. But it is why I was so impressed with the Panasonic GK80 Body Groomer from the moment I first tried it, and why I’ve been consistently using it for my body grooming needs ever since.

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I have spent years on end experimenting with my body hair. Smooth head to toe? Tried it. Grown-out natural vibes? Tried that too. I’ve found that what looks best on me—or at least the way I like to look—lies somewhere in the middle, with some parts of my body smooth, some carefully trimmed, and others untouched. I say this because not only is everyone’s body hair different, but everyone wants theirs to look a certain way as well, which is why things like body groomers exist.

While not necessarily a bad thing since most men are accustomed to using one or the other, most body groomers tend to feel like a cross between a beard trimmer and an electric razor. But the GK80 has a completely new wand-like design that makes it obvious the designers really thought about how to improve the act of body trimming, rather than simply updating the current standard.

Its innovative V-shaped blade is fixed vertically to allow for multi-angle and multi-directional cutting and the basing feels like a wand, lending more dexterity to the grooming process. All-length combs are integrated into one attachment with a rotary dial that allows you to easily switch between lengths without needing to remove or change combs. The sheer versatility and ease of use of the GK80 set it apart from nearly every other body groomer on the market.

The biggest feature that you notice right away with the GK80 is the overall design. Unlike any other body groomer we’ve tried, this one has a vertical design—meant to be held like a wand—with the v-shaped blade situated vertically on the top. This makes you grip it differently than a more traditionally designed trimmer, which allows for greater dexterity and flexibility when using it.

The blades are thinner than other trimmers we’ve seen as well, but certainly don’t lack in cutting ability. The innovative design of this groomer is what sets it apart, but it still takes a bit of a learning curve to figure out the best way to use it on your body. It doesn’t follow the traditional push vs. pull methods that most trimmers do. Because of the V-shaped blade, it’s able to cut in both directions which does make it easier, but if you’re switching from using a more traditional groomer, it can feel weird at first.

The adjustable trimmer attachment is another unique feature. Basically, it’s a one comb attachment that integrates 12 different cutting lengths into one. To switch between lengths, you turn a dial while keeping it on the device, instead of switching back and forth between combs like other trimmers require.

The attachment is bulky yet effective but, again, may take some practice getting used to. It’s convenient to not have to completely switch combs in the middle of a trimming session but can also make the trimmer feel a little top-heavy and some might find it reduces the effectiveness of the blades. The rinse-to-clean capability makes cleaning it easy as pie. It’s also recommended to change the blade about once a year (depending on the frequency of use), however, replacement blades can be hard to find.

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For sheer ease of use, the Panasonic Body Groomer GK80 truly can’t be beat. The innovative design, multi-directional cutting capability, adjustable dial length comb, and v-shaped head all combine to make this easily the most intuitive and efficient body groomer available. I found that it’s just as comfortable shaving your more sensitive groin areas as it is for the chest, arms and shoulders. I have noticed, however, that it’s better for shaving than trimming.

Not that it does a bad job, it’s just that the attachment-less shaving capability is better than the other trimmers in our arsenal (save for perhaps the Philips Norelco OneBlade) while the trimming capabilities with the adjustable comb are more comparable to some others. The multi-length trimmer attachment can be bulky and make the device a little unwieldy, especially when you’re first figuring out how to use it, which changes the feeling of using it and can make trimming a bit more difficult (we found that using it on dry rather than wet skin makes trimming more effective).

SHOP THE PANASONIC GK80 BODY GROOMER

Similarly, when using the skin guard attachment, meant to protect your more delicate areas from potential cuts with the blade, it doesn’t shave quite as close to the skin. I found that using the bare blade is usually gentle and safe (even on delicate areas), but if you’re especially concerned and want to use the skin guard attachment, be prepared for a little stubble. That said, the trimming attachments are still welcome and useful if you like to trim at various lengths rather than shave.

With a retail price of $109.99 (and current sale price of less than $100), this certainly isn’t the most expensive trimmer we’ve tried, nor is it the cheapest. On the price spectrum, it sits closer toward the expensive end, making this clearly a more luxury investment. However, the wand design and intuitive attachments allow the GK80 to provide one of the easiest and most comfortable grooming experiences we’ve had and allow it to nimbly cut hair from head to toe, even in the hardest-to-reach places. If you groom your body regularly, this is a solid investment.

Since the blades are external and the device is fully waterproof, cleaning the GK80 is easier than most other trimmers we’ve tested. Simply turn it off and run the blade end of the trimmer under running water. Literally, that is all you have to do and you’ll have a clean device in minutes—possibly less depending on the strength of your water pressure.

While this is a luxury trimmer, given how easy it is to use, the unique ergonomic design, the thoughtfully designed attachments, and the comfort it provides during the grooming process, we believe the Panasonic GK80 Body Groomer is one of the best groomers on the market. It’s a solid investment for anyone who grooms regularly, no matter what look they are hoping to achieve.

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