BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave review: a practical manual razor with a few tricks up its sleeve

There is no shortage of manual razors competing for a place alongside the usual electric razor picks, so it takes something genuinely different to stand out.

The BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave manages that by pairing a standard five-blade cartridge with a detachable dual-length trimmer, creating a simple 2-in-1 tool that aims to make everyday beard maintenance easier.

BIC recently announced the 5 Trim and it's very much a budget-minded idea, but one that feels more considered in practice than its price might suggest. So, to find out whether the BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave is the real deal, I took it for a spin for a couple of weeks.

BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave review: price and availability

The BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave is a North America-first launch, with BIC saying it's available now online and in stores through retailers like Walmart and Amazon, while a broader global rollout is planned throughout 2026.

In the US, pricing starts at around $6 (approximately £4) for the starter kit, which keeps it firmly in budget manual-razor territory.

There's no clear official UK price yet, but if it lands close to the US equivalent, it should be an affordable upgrade for anyone who wants a more versatile manual shave tool.

BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave review: Design

The BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave gets its appeal from a simple idea: one handle, two interchangeable heads, and no unnecessary fuss. You get a standard five-blade razor cartridge for close shaves, alongside a dual-sided precision trimmer designed for lighter maintenance work.

What makes the Flex 5 Trim & Shave interesting is how little it asks you to learn. It uses one handle and two clip-on heads, so the concept is easy to grasp straight away. One side is for a normal close shave, while the other gives you a more controlled option for tidying beard growth and sharpening edges.

The trimming attachment is the part that gives it its identity. BIC has built in two short cutting depths – 0.5mm and 1.5mm – and the head tilts to help it follow the curves around the face a little more naturally.

Because it's fully manual, there's no charger, no battery, and no extra accessories which helps it stay simple in a way many grooming tools do not.

BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave review: Performance

In day-to-day use, the Flex 5 Trim & Shave succeeds because it doesn't overcomplicate things. On the shaving side, it feels much like a decent standard razor, delivering a close, clean result without any real surprises, which is exactly what you want from a tool like this.

Where this model earns its keep is the trimming attachment. In my testing, it worked well on beard hair, feeling smooth and sharp, and it made light maintenance easier than a normal razor alone.

For tidying edges, keeping short growth in check, or making quick touch-ups between fuller shaves, it adds a level of control that a bog-standard razor simply does not offer. There was a little irritation, but nothing serious, and for someone who generally prefers an electric razor, this sits on the better end of the manual spectrum.

BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave review: Verdict

The BIC Flex 5 Trim & Shave is a smart twist on the standard manual razor, and offers good value.

In the main, it's comfortable to hold, easy to use, and the trimming head adds real value, especially for keeping beard edges neat without reaching for a separate tool.

It still does not challenge a proper electric trimmer, and if that is your usual preference, this is unlikely to replace it. Even so, for the money, it offers more flexibility than most razors, and that makes it an easy one to like.

Even the fold-out press box complete with its built-in mirror, hinted at the same idea: a familiar product, presented with a little more care and a slightly more thoughtful sense of purpose.