
If you’re a regular reader you know I’m a big fan of OneBlade safety razors. They recently launched their OneBlade LTHR Hot Lather Machine and, honestly, the idea of an upgraded hot lather machine piqued my interest. So when they offered me a unit to try I dove in, checked out all the info, and now I’m here to give you the lowdown….
My Experience With OneBlade LTHR
[Note: OneBlade links are affiliate.]
First off, let’s talk about what this thing actually is. The OneBlade LTHR, as the name suggests, is a machine designed to give you perfectly heated lather in under 90 seconds. The folks at OneBlade are really pushing the idea of bringing that luxurious barbershop feel right into your bathroom. They say it’s all about getting a smoother, closer, and irritation-free shave. Whether you’re a traditional wet shaver like me or prefer a more modern experience, the LTHR aims to make your lathering routine more up-scale.
LTHR is relatively compact and cordless, which means you can pretty much move it around your bathroom (or conceivably even pack it for a vacation). It has easy-to-read LED indicators that show you how the charging is progressing and what the current battery level is, so you’re not likely to be caught off guard with a dead battery.
Design
The design is worth mentioning. I think it’s sleek with a modern, water-resistant design that they even say it’s safe for use in the shower when unplugged – hot lather in the shower!
The “under 90 seconds” heating time is a major selling point. OneBlade says it heats your lather to the ideal temperature for shaving. They mention that the lather will be hottest directly under the nozzle, and if you want it a bit cooler, you just hold your hand lower down. That’s a smart way to cater to different preferences.
Using LTHR

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of using this thing. The first step, naturally, is charging it up. You just plug the included power supply into the back of the LTHR When it’s charging, a blinking green LED will let you know. As it charges, more of the LEDs will light up, and once it’s fully charged, a single green LED will remain on, and the charging will automatically stop. To see how much juice you’ve got when it’s not plugged in, you just briefly press the power button on the top, and a few green LEDs will light up to show the current battery level. If all 10 are lit, you’re at a full charge.

Next up is loading a lather solution pod. First, you pop off the cap and then pull out the stopper from the pod (OneBlade recommends keeping the stopper and cap for storage or travel). Then, you carefully insert the pod into the bottom of the lather, pressing slowly to avoid spills. Once it’s in, you turn it clockwise 90 degrees until it clicks into place. It’s pretty straightforward.
Right now there are a couple pod scents, Sandalwood and Lavender.

Now for getting that hot lather! To turn the machine on, you press and hold the power button for about 3 seconds, or until the first LED turns red. Then you just wait for all 10 LEDs to turn red, which should take around 90 seconds. Once all those red lights are on, it’s ready to use. To actually dispense the hot lather, you press and hold the button just above the nozzle. Remember, they say the lather will be hottest right under the nozzle, so you can adjust your hand position for your preferred temperature.
When you’re done shaving you press and hold the power button until all the LEDs turn green and start to go out counterclockwise. LTHR will also automatically shut off after a few minutes of no activity, which is a nice safety feature.

But LTHR isn’t just about convenience–it’s also about the quality of the shave. I find the lather from the LTHR to be very moist-feeling and it definitely goes on hot (I keep my hand right below the nozzle)! Unlike traditional lathering shave cream or soap the lather from LTHR does start to visually disappear a little on the skin after a few minutes but don’t let that concern you too much: it is still quite lubricating and cushioning!
Maintenance?
To keep the LTHR in good shape, OneBlade recommends cleaning the front nozzle about once a week. To do this, you pull firmly on the bottom of the front nozzle cap until it pops off, then twist the red nozzle counterclockwise until it stops and pull it straight out. You then rinse both the front and back filters under warm water until any debris is gone. Reassembling it is just the reverse process. Personally, I have gone several weeks without bothering to clean the nozzle and it still performs fine.
For stubborn clogs there’s an included brush on the underside of the lather that you can use to clean the three openings behind the valve module. OneBlade also notes that from time to time the nozzle might need to be replaced. You can buy replacements online at their website. You can also purchase more of those lather pods there.
Summing Up
So, to sum it all up, the OneBlade LTHR Hot Lather Machine seems like a pretty impressive piece of kit. The key highlights for me are the rapid 90-second heating time, the cordless and rechargeable design, the adjustable temperature, and the promise of a “barbershop-quality,” comfortable shave right in my own bathroom. The fact that it’s portable and easy to clean are also big pluses. While the initial investment might be something to consider (it’s listed at $200.00 USD), if it delivers on its promises of a smoother, more enjoyable shave and the convenience of hot lather on demand, it could definitely be worth it for shaving enthusiasts.
If you’re someone who appreciates a luxurious shave and wants to elevate your grooming routine, the OneBlade LTHR Hot Lather Machine definitely sounds like something worth checking out. It takes the hassle out of creating warm lather and seems designed with both convenience and a quality shaving experience in mind. I’m definitely intrigued and can see the appeal of having this gadget in my bathroom.
I read this and was intrigued … until all the references to the LEDs and what color was for what. I can’t see, never have, so I’m a bit biassed in that respect. Yes, I could time it with my amazon echo while the machine heated up … but I’m already afraid of spilling the stuff as I try to put it in the thing. If I could use something other than a $25 lather pod, it might be more fun. I agree with what others have said here, seems like a cool idea, but could use some tweaks. If it beeped when ready, that’d be nice. I realize they didn’t design it with someone who is blind in mind, why would they? But just a thought. Maybe a future model. Meanwhile I’ll stick to the scuttle and brush.
I bought the LTHR about 8 weeks ago. I’ve been very disappointed in the product. Yes, the machine is cool and the lavender scent is great, but that’s about the only positives I’ve found.
To wit- the lather does come out hot but very quickly cools off. In fact, it’s cool before you finish putting all the lather on your face. Secondly, I’ve found the lather to be quite thin once spread on and not very lubricating. I’ve started using my usual shaving routine and adding a small amount of the “hot” lather for the scent.
IMO they need to go back to the drawing board on this product. Especially given the price point.
I love the Genesis Razor, even more so with the new HiCarbon blades.
And I am somewhat intrigued by the machine, but couldn’t justify spending $ 200 and $1 per shave, when I can have a tub of B&M shave soap for the same price, which lasts me 3 times as long.
This, like their earlier discontinued model, interests me a lot, but is the power supply via mains? As an international buyer, I’m concerned this wouldn’t work with my local electricity network.
OneBladeShave continues to intrigue me. I am curious about the strength of the pivot spring. I know that you prefer a firm spring, as do I. How does the OneBladeShave spring compare to the springs in Gillette pivoting razors? It it more firm or less firm?
Many thanks.
I think it is more firm.
I use their Hybrid and now their Genesis razor. The spring is former, but to be honest – you do not really need the spring once you get used to the razor. It just buffers enough so you don’t cut yourself.
CrazyChemist:
Thanks for the info about the spring. It is helping me to make up my mind. But I have one more question. How well does it handle trimming the bottom edges of sideburns? Getting a straight horizontal line is important to me.
At $200. it seems high. The pods sell for $24.95 and they project you’ll get 20-25 shaves from each pod. At $1. a shave that also seems high. I notice that there is a lack of real review of the quality of the shave. Take away the nostalgic appeal and the momentary feeling of warmth, there is a lack of comparison with non-machine lathers. I would surmise that the warmth dissipates fairly quickly. Show me how it compares in cost and quality of shave with what I now call “manual” soaps. Thank you and have a nice day.
I’ll edit the article to update. I didn’t realize the price has already risen, which, yes, does affect the cost per shave. The quality of my shaves have been excellent though.