Xiaomi Mijia Shaver S500 Review: A Close Shave at a Bargain Price

Xiaomi Mijia Shaver S500 has 200,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.4/5 rating at ¥139 ($19). Users appreciate the close shave from the 3D floating head system, the comfort of IPX7 wet/dry shaving in the shower, and the fast USB-C charging. The main complaints are that the foil blades need replacement every 6-8 months and the pop-up trimmer is less effective than dedicated beard trimmers. Conclusion: ✅ Worth Buying — the best electric shaver under ¥200 with premium features.

Introduction

The Xiaomi Mijia S500 aims to disrupt the electric shaver market — a segment long dominated by Philips and Panasonic. At just ¥139 ($19), it’s priced at a fraction of the ¥299-599 that Japanese and Dutch brands command for similar specifications.

With 200,000+ reviews on JD.com and a 4.4/5 rating, the S500 has become Xiaomi’s best-selling personal care grooming product. We analyzed user reviews to see if it delivers a shave that rivals established brands.

Specifications

Feature	Xiaomi Mijia S500	Philips Series 5000	Panasonic ES-LT2N	Flyco FS903
Price (JD)	¥139 ($19)	¥399 ($55)	¥499 ($69)	¥119 ($16)
Blade Type	3-blade rotary + foil	3-blade rotary	3-blade rotary	3-blade rotary
Floating Head	✅ Double-action (front-back + left-right)	✅ 3D contour follow	✅ Double-action	✅ Single-action
Wet/Dry	✅ IPX7 (fully washable)	✅ IPX7	✅ IPX7	❌ Splash-proof only
Charging	USB-C (1.5 hours)	Charging base (1 hour)	Charging base (1 hour)	USB (2 hours)
Battery Life	60 minutes (claimed)	50 minutes	45 minutes	45 minutes
Display	LED battery indicator	3-LED battery indicator	LCD display	LED battery indicator
Pop-up Trimmer	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Travel Lock	❌	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌
Cleaning	Washable under tap + brush	Washable + cleaning station	Washable under tap	Brush only
Blade Replacement	¥49 for foil + blade set	¥89 for replacement head	¥99 for replacement head	¥29 for foil + blade set
JD Rating	4.4/5	4.3/5	4.4/5	4.2/5
JD Reviews	200,000+	80,000+	50,000+	150,000+

Design and Build Quality

The S500 is a compact, cylindrical shaver with a matte dark gray finish. The IPX7 waterproof rating means you can rinse the entire shaver under running water — a significant upgrade from splash-proof competitors in the same price range.

The 3-blade floating head adjusts in multiple directions to follow facial contours. The blades are independently sprung, providing good contact even on the jawline and neck. The foil is made of Japanese stainless steel with a titanium coating.

The USB-C charging port is covered by a rubber flap on the bottom. A full charge takes 1.5 hours for 60 minutes of use. The LED indicator shows battery level with 4 segments.

“For ¥139, this shaver delivers a shave that’s 85-90% as close as my previous Philips Series 5000. The floating head tracks face contours well. I use it wet with shaving gel in the shower — the IPX7 rating means I can rinse it clean in seconds. Battery lasts about 2 weeks of daily shaving.” — JD.com user, verified purchase

Performance

The S500 delivers a consistent, close shave. For daily shaving (stubble up to 24 hours), it’s excellent — smooth results in 3-4 minutes. For 2-3 day growth, it requires more passes and the pop-up trimmer is needed for longer hairs.

The shave isn’t as close as a Philips Series 7000 or a premium Panasonic, but it’s more than adequate for most users. The floating heads handle the jawline and chin area better than many competitors at this price.

The included foil blades have a useful life of about 6-8 months. Replacement sets cost ¥49 and are available on JD.com. The pop-up trimmer at the back works for sideburns and mustache but isn’t precise enough for detailed beard shaping.

“I’ve used this daily for 5 months. The shave quality has stayed consistent. I clean the blades every week with the included brush and rinse. After 3 months, I noticed the blades pulling slightly — flipping to the replacement set fixed it. The USB-C charging is great — same cable as my phone. I keep a backup in my travel bag.” — JD.com user

User Reviews by Theme

Shave Quality

“Close shave for daily use. I have sensitive skin and the S500 causes less irritation than my old Philips rotary. Using it wet with a sensitive-skin shaving gel gives the best result. For the price, the shave quality is genuinely impressive — comparable to ¥300+ shavers from established brands.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Shave quality is excellent for daily grooming — close, comfortable, and competitive with mid-range brands.

Waterproof Design

“The IPX7 waterproofing is the feature that sold me. I shave in the shower every morning, rinse the shaver clean, and leave it on the counter. No cleaning station needed. This is a premium feature at a budget price — most shavers at ¥139 are splash-proof only.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: IPX7 waterproofing at this price is exceptional. Full rinsability simplifies cleaning significantly.

Battery and Charging

“USB-C charging is perfect. One cable for everything. I get about 2 weeks of shaving from a charge. The LED indicator shows 4 levels — I know well in advance when charging is needed. No more dead shaver in the middle of a shave.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: USB-C is a genuine convenience advantage. Battery life meets advertised claims.

Blade Durability

“The blades lasted about 7 months before I noticed more pulling and less closeness. The replacement set is ¥49 — cheaper than a single Philips replacement head. Easy to swap, just pop the old one off and clip the new one on. Ongoing cost is very manageable.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: Blade replacement is affordable and straightforward. Expect 6-8 months of daily use per set.

Missing Travel Lock

“The lack of a travel lock is annoying. Twice in my bag, the shaver turned on and drained the battery. I now remove the head when traveling. It’s a basic safety feature that should be included in any electric shaver at this point.” — JD.com user

💡 Summary: No travel lock is a minor but notable omission. Remove the head for travel.

Purchase Recommendations

✅ Worth Buying (¥139)

The best electric shaver under ¥200. IPX7 waterproofing, USB-C charging, and effective 3-blade floating head shaving make it unbeatable value. Perfect for daily shavers on a budget.

💰 Upgrade for Heavy Beards

If you have thick, fast-growing facial hair (3+ day growth regularly), consider the Philips Series 5000 at ¥399. Its stronger motor and premium blades handle heavy growth more effectively.

⚠️ Alternative: Flyco FS903 (¥119)

The Flyco is ¥20 cheaper but splash-proof only (not fully waterproof). The S500’s ¥20 premium for IPX7 is well worth it if you want to shave in the shower.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
IPX7 waterproof — full rinsability, shower-safe	No travel lock for bag transport
Close shave with 3D floating head	Pop-up trimmer isn’t ideal for detailed shaping
USB-C charging — universal	Blades need replacement every 6-8 months
200,000+ reviews — proven product	Shave for 2-3 day growth requires more passes
Affordable blade replacement (¥49)	No premium features like precision shaver head
60-minute battery life	LED display could be more detailed

FAQ

Q: How is the shave quality compared to Philips Series 5000? A: Close, but not quite as close. The Philips has more advanced blade geometry and stronger motor for thick beards. For daily shaving (24-hour stubble), the difference is minimal. For 2-3 day growth, the Philips handles it better and faster. At 1/3 the price, the S500 offers excellent value.

Q: Can I use the S500 for head shaving? A: Some users report decent results for head shaving, but it’s not designed primarily for this purpose. The floating head adapts to the scalp curves but the shave takes longer than a dedicated head shaver. For occasional head grooming, it works fine.

Q: How do I clean the S500? A: The easiest method: rinse the head under running water with the shaver on (the running helps flush out hair). For deeper cleaning, remove the foil head and brush the blade assembly with the included brush. Clean blades weekly for best performance.

Q: Is the S500 suitable for sensitive skin? A: Yes. The floating head design with independent suspension reduces pressure points. Using it wet with shaving gel further reduces irritation. Many users with sensitive skin report less irritation than with fixed-head shavers.

Q: Can I shave dry with the S500? A: Yes, dry shaving works well. The results are slightly better wet (with gel/foam) but dry shaving is perfectly acceptable for convenience. The IPX7 rating means you can use either method without concern.