--- source_url: "https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/" title: "Gillette Labs v Mach 3 | The Shaving Room" mirrored_at: 2026-08-07T01:08:28.696Z host: www.theshavingroom.co.uk cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/index" --- > **Original source:** https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/ - - [#1](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986387) Are Gillette Labs blades worth the extra cost? - - [#2](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986393) I use both, only recently the lab variety. On my face the Mach3 are good, lab are better... With the former I can get a BBS shave with one pass plus touch ups, with the latter I'm BBS with just the one pass resulting in less risk of irritation and marginally less time spent doing a boring chore. The Mach3 head only moves in one direction so it is possible to muck it up and give yourself irritation if very careless however the lab razor head has flex on every axis so no attention, skill or technique is required from the user. I'm still on my first lab cart so no idea how long they last yet, how that pans out will dictate whether they are worth the extra but I'd say if you see a lab razor on sale at the supermarket it's definitely worth a try. - - [#3](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986398) Isn't the appropriate comparison between the Labs and one of the Fusion carts? Or am I missing something? - - [#4](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986399) I would also say that when buying Mach 3 disposables, they are in a totally different price range. - Thread Starter - - [#5](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986401) I’m using Mach 3, just interested if the Lab blades are worth thinking about bearing in mind the extra cost. - - [#6](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986403) Well, at present 3 Mach disposables are £4.30 at Waitrose on special offer. However, similar or cheaper pricing is available all year round at Savers. 4 Gillette Labs carts are £23.50 at Waitrose. I would stick with the Mach 3. However, Bic carts are now comparable and are dirt cheap. Yes, they use to be awful but I am using Flex 3 carts which are £1.00 for 4 at Savers. - - [#7](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986447) I'd found them same-ish and actually prefer the fewer blades on the Mach 3 as well as its slightly more compact head. I still generally prefer the RR Cyber/Daily on a flexible handle or a TGS Syntesi, Henson Al13 v2 mild, though. - - [#8](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986464) > Well, at present 3 Mach disposables are £4.30 at Waitrose on special offer. However, similar or cheaper pricing is available all year round at Savers. 4 Gillette Labs carts are £23.50 at Waitrose. I would stick with the Mach 3. However, Bic carts are now comparable and are dirt cheap. Yes, they use to be awful but I am using Flex 3 carts which are £1.00 for 4 at Savers. Bic Flex 3 or 5 are excellent value. I haven't tried the Flex 4 in a while. So a Flex 3 cart is 25p vs £5.87 for a Gillette Labs cart. The Flex 3 handle isn't very attractive, so I use the Flex 5 system in chrome or the hybrid handle... - - [#9](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986471) > Bic Flex 3 or 5 are excellent value. I haven't tried the Flex 4 in a while. So a Flex 3 cart is 25p vs £5.87 for a Gillette Labs cart. > > The Flex 3 handle isn't very attractive, so I use the Flex 5 system in chrome or the hybrid handle... > > [View attachment 139654](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/attachments/139654/) I can't find a photo of the previous Chrome handle, but according to their website this is available. Although, I have never seen in the wild... - - [#10](https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/community/threads/gillette-labs-v-mach-3.61486/post-986521) > I’m using Mach 3, just interested if the Lab blades are worth thinking about bearing in mind the extra cost. I'd say yes, but probably as much to do with the revised system as the new cartridge. The Mach3 merely pivots while the Labs pivots in two planes and the head can turn. Yes, there's more tech in the cartridge with impact absorbing dampers and various fins and what-not.