What You're Actually Getting
Nine blade refills and a reusable handle for under a tenner. That's the pitch, and honestly, it's not a bad one. The Hydro 5 has been around long enough that Wilkinson have clearly ironed out the early kinks. Five blades, a hydrating gel reservoir on top, and a flip trimmer at the back for the bits around the nose or sideburns.
The Shave Itself
I'll be straight with you: it's a solid mid-range razor. Not as smooth as a Gillette Fusion on its best day, but closer than you'd expect from something in this price bracket. The gel strip actually does something, which isn't always the case with cheaper cartridges. If you've got sensitive skin that kicks off after a close shave, this one's fairly forgiving.
Personally I used one of these for about three months last year when I was trying to bring the weekly shop budget down. No complaints. The blades lasted a reasonable amount of time before they started dragging.
Who It's For (And Who It Isn't)
If you're a wet shaving purist with a badger brush and a double-edged safety razor on the bathroom shelf, this isn't your thing. But if you just want a reliable cartridge razor with enough refills to last a few months without thinking about it, this bundle makes a lot of sense.
One small reservation: the handle feels a touch plasticky. It works fine, but it doesn't feel premium. At this price, that's a fair trade-off.
