1.5 years ago, I splurged and made my singular most expensive beauty purchase – The $300 Hada Crie N2000 [review here] by Hitachi.
I was informed last month by a reader (thanks Kelly!) that Hitachi was releasing new Hada Crie models (3rd generation) on November 1. They are CM-N3000 and CM-N830, successors to CM-N2000 and CM-N820 respectively.
Hada Crie has been amazing and really helped make visible improvements to my skin, so I was quite excited to see what new Japanese wizardary they can pour into these new models!
The information on the official website was minimal, so I went down to the store to check them out in person yesterday.
Here are the photos (that I sneakily took heh):
So.
These two new models.
Extremely underwhelming.
They really are just the old models that were given a barely-noticeable different color, slapped with a timer function that alerts you every 45 seconds (or 75 seconds in the case of N830) and an extremely vague “new waveforms to improve moisturization” sentence.
WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN.
They are literally releasing “new” models for the sake of releasing new models, because everything else is exactly the same. The functions, the feel of it, everything. No wonder they couldn’t even bothered to make proper promotional material for it. You can see on the official website that these new models don’t even have their own page (model name cannot be clicked on, unlike previous models). This whole thing feels so moneygrabber-ish. *shakes head sadly*
edit (2/5): Ok, seems like they’ve finally put up the individual pages for the new models. But my opinion still remains unchanged.
If you’re wondering if you should upgrade from your Hada Crie models, you shouldn’t. Unless you truly, madly, deeply value the timer function or the mysterious “new waveforms” ability.
If you’re wondering if you should buy this instead of the second generation models, you shouldn’t. The older models are cheaper, and prices will likely continue to drop now that there are newer models.
In short: I DON’T RECOMMEND THESE MODELS. Buy N2000 or N820 instead.
Hitachi, you’re really disappointing this time.
34 Comments
Hello Rin :)
Thanks a lot for your comment on the latest model! I believe a lot of readers benefit from this (Y)
On another note, may I know when will your 24ket online store begin operating again? Would like to know your price for N820 :)
Regards,
Lai
Hi Lai,
You’re welcome! I certainly hope it will be helpful to others :)
Ahh, yes. You just reminded me I should update the 24kei page! I will only be reopening it in Dec as I will be traveling next week and will be away for a month -__- If it’s not urgent, you could wait till then to order. If it is… send me a private message and we’ll see if we can work something out!
No problem :) it’s not urgent. I will visit your 24kei in December! Enjoy your trip! :)
Thanks Lai, I look forward to your patronage then ;D
Hi there Rin!
I love reading your blog, esp. the Beauty and Health section.
Recently I saw a new ( I am not sure if it is a new product in Japan) beauty gadget on Rakuten. It is called Bilulu Premium (美ルル プレミア ム – I guess this is the correct Japanese name for it). What are your thoughts on it? Do you think it is just a gimmick? I can’t find any reviews of it on Cosme.net . I do not know how to read hiragana or katakana. From pictures, I gather that it is like Hitachi Hada Crie but it emits 5 different lights (led light therapy?) which has different purpose like reduction of black spots, wrinkles, electrical muscle reduction etc.
Hi Edith, thank you for your support :)
I have never heard of the gadget you mentioned and googled it a little. There are some customer reviews here, and although you can’t read Japanese, you can see the average rating of 4.1 from 156 reviews.
I am also quite new to this LED light therapy idea (which is as you said, using different lights to treat different problems) so I can’t really comment on it. But it has definitely piqued my interest! For your information, there are actually several other Belulu models as well, and some are only half the price of this premium model. It might be a more affordable alternative if you’re interested in trying it out ^^
hi Rin, just want to say officially in your blog, thank you so so sooo much, thanks a million for all your help!! You have been so kind in answering all of myquestion in my travel planning :):):) I went to Houston NASA, went to Tokyo got the N820, went to Alice Wonderland Ginza, … And went a bit crazy in Can-Do, Daiso Harajuku, Tokyo Hands Shibuya for my shopping. Thank God for your blog :):):):) Enjoy your next trip and all the best with your house hunt :):):) ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA
Hi Alfani! Apologies for the late reply. I’m in Singapore now and was really busy. I only had time to catch up on blog comments now >_>
I’m really glad to hear that my blog was of help in your travels :D Hope to see you around! ^^
Hi Rin!!
I read your blog on Hada Crie old models and I am all geared up top buy it by end of this month when I visit Kansai… then this model came out and is so new that there is no info/review online.. so glad again,u have it here!!!
May I know where can I get their product in Kansai area? Are there any price difference for different area (Osaka/Nara/kyoto)? Is there any tax refund applicable to tourists like me…?
Thanks~~~~
Hi Khaw,
Glad you found this post helpful!
Check out the big electronic chains like Yodobashi. There is one right outside Kyoto station :) If you buy it from the big electronic chains, there is no difference in prices. SOMETIMES some branches may run their own special promotions and have items on discount but there is no way of knowing which store is having what promotion so it’s really down to luck.
Yes, you can get tax refund in the store on purchases above a certain amount (10,000yen if I’m not mistaken). Don’t forget your passport! :)
Thanks~~
Is it true that if we make online purchase to send to Japan’s hotel, it will be cheaper than buying directly from the electronic shops in Japan? It seems like quite a number of people (er…in virtual world) are talking about this.
Some purely online merchants do retail it for lesser than those in physical stores due to obvious reasons (savings on store front rent etc) but do note that you won’t be eligible for tax refunds for online purchases.
If you are able to read Japanese (or know someone who can help out), you can compare prices online for the model you’re interested in and make your decision thereafter.
By the way, I forgot to mention this earlier… The Yodobashi branch I was at in Tokyo only carried the newest models (N3000 and N830). I’m not sure if it’s the same for other branches, but just thought to give you a head’s up!
ok!! thanks alot~~~
Can’t wait to get my hands on Hada Crie!! =)
Dear Rin
Thanks for the review, in my opinion, if the item works.. it worth the price..
imagine all the facial package that you have to sign up…
i was wondering about the link that you posted direct to amazon
is the device using a japanese plug? how do you use it in sg? just a plug converter?
and how to use this device? :P
Thanks
Kit
Hi Kit,
I agree. And Hada Crie is worth the price, just not this model, in my opinion.
Apart from N1000 (the first generation), all other models can be used worldwide. All it requires is a plug adapter/converter. I’ve used my N2000 in Singapore with no problems at all.
As for how to use Hada Crie, please refer to this post.
Hi Rin,
I would like to say thank you to all the helpful information that you have shared via your blog.
My friend is visiting Yokohama (Navios hotel) and he is going to bring me a Hada Crie. However, the store said that he have to order 7 days before the machine arrive @.@ Can you please help guiding me places that my friend can buy Hada crie directly in Yokohama or any store in Narita Airport?
Thanks Rin.
Nhung
Hi Nhung,
You’re welcome; glad it was helpful to you!
It usually doesn’t take that long for domestic delivery, but I think they’re just leaving more buffer time. There is a big electronics chain called Yodobashi near Yokohama station and they carry Hada Crie (only the latest N830 and N3000 models though) so you can ask him to check that out :)
Many Thanks Rin. Sorry for being late reply, I missed your email :(
How lucky, my friend got N3000 from Yodobashi chain as your recommendation.
I am extremely happy with the machine after one month use. You are right, it’s worth every penny.
Glad your friend managed to get it for you and that it works well for you! :)
Hi Rin,
Thank you for the immense time and effort you’ve put in to review the Hada Crie models. I’m faced with a conundrum at the moment: Can’t decide between N1000, N830, or the N2000 (the N820 and N830 are being sold at the same price so I’m looking at the N830 for now). The N2000 is about 50 bucks more than the N1000. My conundrum stems from the fact that I’m not sure if the “cool” function really works, or if I’m better off with something portable.
What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Grace
Hi Grace,
It always makes it worth the effort when my posts are helpful to others :)
Between N1000 and N2000, I would recommend N2000 because of several reasons:
– Shorter time required (18min vs 11min for the full cycle)
– Ability to use gel/thicker-type products and masks
– Worldwide compatibility
Which leaves us with N2000 and N830.
I think you’ll have to weigh which is more important to you. If you think you aren’t going to use the cool function much (or doubt it while using it haha) and/or portability of the device is important, then go with N830. Otherwise, go with N2000.
Hope this helps!
Many thanks!!
PLs pm me.price.for n3000 . Any recommend for lighting device for face ?Eg talika light duo plus ? Pls share with me on ur online store . Thanks
Hi Rin,
Can you help me find the difference between model n830 & n2000 ? I’m wondering if between 2 models because of price difference to several thousand.
Thanks and I hope to receive your early reply!
Hi Hue Le,
N830 is simply N820 with the timer function.
Therefore, the difference between N830 and N2000 is essentially the difference between N820 and N2000. You can read about it here.
Hello rin,
Thank you for your posts about hada crie, i was pondering inbetween n830 or n2000, i’m going to use it with vitamin c based products which made me leaning towards n830, because hot temperature usually not goes well with vitamin c, but the opening pores to pull out the dirts-hot effects looks promising too, do you have any suggestion about these?
Also, could you explain more about the mask mode?
Thank you!
Hi Merle,
If the heat from N2000 is a concern, but you’d still like to have that function, then my suggestion would be to use N830 in conjunction with another product that opens the pores prior to using Hada Crie.
I’m currently using this nano facial steamer and I rather like it. In fact I feel the heat from this is far more effective than that of N2000.
As for the mask mode, it’s simply a step where you put on a facial sheet mask and use Hada Crie while wearing the mask :)
Thank you Rin,
I think i’ll go with the n830 :) and lurks around for the steamer soon
God bless you!
Hi Rin
Thank you for your review. It is very helpful for me and it is much appreciated. Are you still happy with your N2000 ? if you have to choose it again, will you still choose N2000 or N820 or N830 ?
Hi Puck,
Glad to know you found it helpful! Yup, I still use my N2000 and am very satisfied with it. The newer models hold no appeal for me to upgrade haha.
If I had to choose again, with the knowledge that I have after using N2000? Then my opinion is unchanged (I think I mentioned it somewhere before) : the N820 will be more than sufficient for my needs :)
Thanks again Rin. Do you think the cool function of N2000 is good ? I read you review about N2000 in 2013. At that time you did not see the poor minimizing effect.
The cool function is made to work with the warm function (thus the name Hada Crie Hot & Cool) so I think the efficacy of the cool function cannot be judged on its own.
I did not see any pore minimization on my skin (possibly because my pores weren’t large), but in the post, I included photos of “Subject F” (my husband) who had bigger pores and I left it open for the reader to interpret what the photos showed. You can be the judge as to whether there was minimization of pores :)
Thanks for your informative posts! I just picked up the latest cordless hada crie but am wondering if the lithium ion battery inside is replaceable if it dies? In the Japanese manual it looks like there’s instruction on how to remove the battery inside but doesn’t say if we can buy replacement battery (based on Google translate and the pictures). Do you know how long the cordless machines are meant to last and if there’s replacement batteries to buy?
I don’t have the cordless version so I can’t advise how long they can last. But I would assume they are meant to last the entire lifetime of the gadget and no replacement is needed.
I looked up the manual online and the instructions you see for removing the battery is for when you want to dispose of the gadget, and they advise on how to remove the battery for recycling purposes.