Spending about 100 hours doing online and offline data gathering and hands-on testing out selected top five hot lather machines, we think that the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King. It provides users with a large machine that even professionals may benefit added with a fast heating process of a 680 mL reservoir. Light indicators will keep you safe and guided as it produces an ‘aerated’ warm lather. Thus, it makes your shaving an enjoyable, speedy process.
Shaving without lather is evil in the form of irritated skin, and shaving with cold cream is no different either.
We tried home remedies like heating cans through hot water or other dangerous means.
While submerging your shaving cream on hot water works, there is a more accurate and less messy way to warm it.
If you’ve failed your DIY heating projects far too many times, it’s time to let the professionals work for you.
No, I’m not talking about going to the barbers. But, barbers and groomers can take notes from this too. I’m talking more about the personal (or professional) hot lather machines to replace your failed do-it-yourself attempts.
To save you from the having to look into numerous hot lather machines in the market, we have raked through online sellers and local stores to find good machines. We didn’t stop there. After research, we put into our carefully selected top five machines into a test.
Best Hot Lather Machine
| Grain Moisture Tester | Portability | Variable Grains | Display |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickey-John Grain Moisture Tester | Handheld | Yes | LCD Screen |
| Sensor-1 MTC-999-ES Grain Moisture Analyzer | Tabletop | Yes | LCD Screen |
| YD-640 Portable Digital Grain Moisture Meter | Handheld | Yes | LCD Screen |
| Hanchen Lab Fast Halogen Moisture Analyzer | Tabletop | Yes (Include other raw materials) | LCD Screen |
| CTI DX-101G Digital Moisture Meter | Handheld | Yes (Up to 5) | Digital |
How Do Hot Lather Machine Works
Thorin Klosowski of Life Hacker said that using cold cream for shaving may cause skin irritation or some users. Cold cream is also harder to lather and can be less effective for accurate shaving.
The primary purpose then of a hot lather machine is to keep your shaving cream or gel warm before you lather it unto your skin to prep for shaving.
That is, these are electric powered heaters.
There are two distinct means of heat the cream. You have the machine that allows you to mix water and the cream in a reservoir. There are also machines where you can place the cream canister and heat it from there.
Take a look at this short clip on how the hot lather machine works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use hot lather machines?
Generally, anybody can use hot lather machines.
Men or women who have shaving needs can make use of them, although these are usually targeted for men. Most hot lather machines can cater to different creams or even gel it be meant for men or women.
Also, barbers are often the “known” users of these. It is because the machines are tailored for heavy duty use. Imagine just dipping a canister in hot water while lots of clients are lining-up! However, there are machines that are meant for personal use.
Why use hot lather machines?
Keeping your shaving cream warm helps with minimizing skin irritation and less painful when shaving; this may be the most obvious benefit of having hot lather machine.
Other advantages of this include a more accurate and intensive method for heating more than just dipping it in warm water. There are machines with temperature control so you can set the right temperature ensuring that all the cream are heated correctly.
It is also less sloppy as the machine has cups or reservoir for the cream and a smooth dispenser system.
What To Consider When Buying a Hot Lather Machine
1. Heat up time
Though electric powered and with adjustable temperatures, hot lather machines need time to heat up the cream. It does not take hours, of course. There are those that heat up in 15 minutes, while some take about 50 minutes.
The time difference also depends on the size of the machine. Most of the larger sizes need more process time. Therefore, depending on your needs, you need to consider heating time.
2. Cream/ Gel quality
Each machine processes and produces creams different. There are those that are soppier or those that are fluffier than others. An important thing to remember though is that there are other factors that can affect the cream quality. The cream itself or how you mixed it with water.
3. Cup/ Reservoir size
Yes, there are sizes when it comes to hot lather machines. And believe me, it matters.
If you are a professional barber, you might need a machine with a bigger cup or reservoir size. The size element should also be considered along with the amount of hot cream you need for your patrons.
Even so, if you are using it for yourself only, you can still have a bigger machine. But, there are machines that are meant for personal use that you don’t even have to mix the cream. You can simply place the canister in the machine, and you’re good to go.
4. Temperature adjustment
The heating process of hot lather machines requires the use of electricity. After turning it on, the machine with heat the cream and will have a light indicator to let you know it’s good to use. There are other machines, however, that allows you to set a particular temperature for your cream.
How We Assessed & Evaluated These Hot Lather Machine
As you’ve probably read from our other product reviews, we have two major parts for evaluation.
The first is research broken down to offline and online research. Our online research entails gathering data about the product including features and benefits research, pertinent news about the product and a brand background search. We make a list of essential details, which will be the basis of our offline research.
We visited barber shops, vendors, friends, and families who have knowledge and experience with hot lather machines. Armed with our data, we interviewed them and asked recommendations on what are the top products and how to choose them.
Having our criteria, we had our second level of evaluation--- testing. We initially have around eight (8) products and trimmed them down to five (5) by ranking them.
Once we had our five products, we had a team of testers to try them out. We spent about four days doing hands-on testing.
The machines were used by male and female testers to warm shaving creams and actually do the shaving to see the optimum results. So the testing involves the mixing, heating up timing, texture examination, lathering on the skin and actual shaving.
What we found difficult with the process is to look for testers because we cannot re shave the same people.
Top 5 Hot Lather Machine Product Reviews
1. Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine (Editor’s Choice)
Barber Latherizer King Size Black Color With Bonus 100% Badger Shaving Brush & 8oz Lather Concentrate
Our testers first impression of the product is that these are the fancy warmers used by professional barbers. Common Wealth positioned the brand in that way making it suitable for personal and professional use.
Truly, the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King can be used for home or shop use with a combination of a large reservoir, variable temperature and easy dispensing.
One tester, however, noted that the machine’s size is quite big for her small apartment. That is, although many personal users can find this valuable, it is too big for her.
As to the heating time, our testers have divided thoughts. Some think that the 20 to 30 minutes wait time is decent considering that it needs to heat up a full 680 mL cup. While, there are those that think that that time is too long for a single shaving activity.
What they all agree is that the “aerated” cream in the machine’s description is true. The machine produces a good wet foamy cream that “feels good” both when lathering and shaving. Two testers said that they feel like they are taking good care of their skin.
Every user like the testers has different tolerance or preference to heat. Thus, an adjustable temperature is a good addition to the machine. The testers tried on the different heat settings, and it worked well with them. It also helps that there are light indicators to know if it is working.
There are also reported issues with the pump. Some testers say that the first pump was a bit difficult, but as it is used for the testing, it was working fine. You have to be careful though not to pump out too much.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
2. Conair HGL1NR/HGL1R Conair Gel and Lather Heating System (First Runner-Up)
Conair is a multinational brand contributing to health and wellness, grooming and home solutions. And up their portfolio is the Conair HGL1NR/HGL1R Conair Gel and Lather Heating System.
Ths hot lather machine is a departure from the bulky machines like the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King and the Professional Barber Hot Lather Machine with Digital Display and others.
Testers agree that its size and function are more appropriate for personal or home use. Unlike the other products in the review, this hot lather machine allows you to insert the cream canisters or can inside the machine and heat the cream from there.
Our testers love the idea that it does not require mixing the cream with water as it heats the cream directly from the can, which minimizes waiting time. The heating process of the machine is also relatively faster than the others on review.
This machine provides automatic shut-off and adjustable temperature adding convenience and more options for the users. You can even check whether the cream or get is heating up as it has an indicator.
Despite the temperature settings, some of the testers, especially those who are users of hot lather machines found a slight difference as to the temperature from other products. That is, while setting on the ‘hot’ setting, the cream or gel just feels slightly warm.
There is also a limitation as to the canister size. You need to use the standard one ensuring that the inner nozzle is fitted with the nozzle chamber of the machine for it to work. Some of the creams used did not work even if it is of the right size.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
3. Professional Barber Hot Lather Machine with Digital Display (Second Runner-Up)
This is another heavy duty hot lather machine like that of the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King and the others from the list.
The most apparent differentiating element of the machine is the LED screen temperature display. The rest of the products on our review only have blinking lights to indicate that it is heating up or if it’s done. With the Professional Barber Hot Lather Machine with Digital Display, you can immediately see the temperature. Of course, you can adjust the temperature of and set it to your preferred hotness.
One feature of the machine that out testers like about this hot lather machine is its fast heating time. It is not as fast as the Conair HGL1NR/HGL1R Conair Gel and Lather Heating System. But, it heats up faster than the other heavy duty product taking about 10 to minutes for the cream to be hot.
During the testing, the testers find it hard to mix the cream or soap solution. It is because the first few pumps produce a not so fluffy cream and more wet, which some does not find good enough to lather.
When the testers have to change creams, the cleaning process of the reservoir seems to be a bit difficult. There is some residue that is hard to reach, which may require using a thin brush.
Unlike the other products, this machine has smaller reservoir capacity. Some testers find the difference insignificant because refill is inevitable. There are others though that say it might be time-consuming.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
with Quick Heating & Stainless Steel Valve
A hot lather machine with a built-in reservoir can heat, the Andis RAZR Pro Lather Machine with Quick Heating & Stainless Steel Valve produce warm lather cream in 15 minutes.
This heating time feature can be advantageous for the users most especially for the professionals who have numerous customers a day or people who are always on the go.
In the testing process, our testers find this machine, although not unique, but can potentially save time for barbers and home users. It has a big cup or reservoir, so users don’t need to refill it again and again.
It is another thing though if you have to clean the cup because you need a specialized cleaner for it. Our testers have to reach through the sides and corners, unlike the other products that the cup can be taken out.
The testers love that it has an added rubber feet to keep the machine in place. It will be useful for safety purposes and to minimizes spills and mess.
One issue that our testers have with the machine is that you cannot adjust the heat or temperature. There is only a power button for a start the process. Some of the testers think that without this feature it might feel too hot or too cold for them.
But, our testers deemed that the indicators help by alerting you that you can now start dispensing.
Even with the lack of temperature settings, the machine still dispenses the right warmth and foamy cream, which our testers deemed to be just the right consistency for shaving.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
Professional Barber Quality Dispenser with Internal Liquid Pump, Bottle, Additional Bonus Liquid Pump, and 12 oz. Bottle of Pre-Mixed Liquid Lather
The Wahl Professional ’19 Hot Lather Machine looks similar to the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King. It is also similar to its separate reservoir and a thin nozzle.
From among the hot lather machines in this review, this product has the longest waiting time of up to 50 minutes. Our testers deemed that even for professional use, this hot lather machine takes too much time to heat up.
Some of the testers pointed out efficiency and economic issues, where it not only lessens work time but may use up too much energy. Though this opinion was not observed from the testing.
The long waiting heat up time may be justified by the lather it produces. It creates a creamy, but not a soggy texture that is warm enough to provide comfort and seemingly good results.
This hot lather machine also has a separate cup or reservoir to fill in the cream to be heated. Our testers like that the cup is very easy to clean, which makes the maintenance fast, especially for the busy barbers. This cup or reservoir is also big enough so that you don’t always have to refill.
Unlike the other products in the review, the Wahl Professional ’19 Hot Lather Machine is less bulky and lighter. Even if it has a decent reservoir size, the entire machine does not take space, which the testers deemed to be very suited for those with limited space.
Another issue that the testers have the product is that it has no variable or adjustable settings. There is a light indicator that will guide the users to show if the lather is ready for use.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
Our Recommendations and How They Compare
Editor's Pick: Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King
From the top five hot lather machines, the Common Wealth Professional Deluxe Hot Lather Machine Barber Latherizer King comes out as the Editor’s Choice. Each of the products has different features to offer, but, our Editor’s Choice has a combination of unique and functional features.
The size might be too big. However, it caters to both professionals and personal users, which makes it more useful. It has a decent heat up waiting time considering that it will process 680 mL of cream and water.
Its lather results are also deemed good making shaving a fast, comfortable and painless process.
Editor's Pick: Conair HGL1NR/HGL1R Conair Gel and Lather Heating System & Professional Barber Hot Lather Machine with Digital Display
Our first Runner-Up coveted the spot not because it is similar to the Editor’s Choice, but because it offers a unique experience. The Conair HGL1NR/HGL1R Conair Gel and Lather Heating System heat cream straight from its can.
There is no need to mix or use water. You just have to pop the canister in and press the on a button to heat-up in just a few minutes.
It may not be recommendable to barbers because it’s quite small, but it can be good for personal use.
The Second Runner-Up is the Professional Barber Hot Lather Machine with Digital Display. The machine has fast heat up process, LED screen temperature display and adjustable heat. All these features add to the machine providing fast, easy and safe shaving experience.