medicube Mini Booster Pro Plus Cleansing Device Set Review: a compact 2-in-1 that’s good, but not magic

I used the medicube Mini Booster Pro Plus Cleansing Device Set for a bit over two weeks, morning and night most days. I already use a basic silicone cleansing brush and a Foreo-style dupe, so I wasn’t going in blind. I mainly wanted to see if this thing actually cleaned better and if the booster part did anything besides vibrate on my face. Short answer: it works, but you need to know what you’re doing and keep your expectations realistic.

The first impression was honestly a bit mixed. The box looks premium, the device feels solid in hand, but the whole idea of sticking a mini booster into a cleansing head looked a bit fiddly. I also had to spend a good 10–15 minutes watching videos and reading because the instructions are not super clear. If you’re the type who hates reading manuals or messing with apps, you’ll probably roll your eyes at the start.

Once I got into a routine though, I started to see where it made sense. The cleansing head definitely cleans deeper than my hands or a soft washcloth, and the three modes (red, blue, purple) are not just for show. I used red most days and blue about twice a week on my T‑zone, and my nose especially looked less congested after about a week. It’s not like every blackhead vanished, but I could see less gunk when I checked up close in the mirror.

The booster part without the brush is the trickier bit. If you just slide it quickly on your face, it feels like a random vibrating tool. Used slowly, pressed properly on the skin with serum, it does give a stronger “zap”/microcurrent feel like one of the reviewers said. I wouldn’t say my wrinkles suddenly shrank or anything, but my skin did look a bit smoother and makeup went on nicer. Overall, it’s a pretty solid 2‑in‑1 device if you’re into gadgets and already have a skincare routine. If you just want a quick wash and go, this might feel like too much hassle for what it does.

Let’s be honest: this is not a budget tool. You’re paying for the medicube name, the Korean beauty gadget factor, and the 2‑in‑1 concept. In terms of pure function, a cheaper silicone cleansing brush will still clean your face better than your hands, and a basic microcurrent or vibration device can also help a bit with product absorption. This just combines both in a more polished package and adds the app, multiple modes, and a more refined brush head.

Where it earns some of its price is the build quality and performance. It doesn’t feel flimsy, the brush head is clearly more thought‑out than generic ones, and the different modes are actually noticeable, not just marketing. If you’re already into skincare and gadgets and you like the idea of having a compact device that does both cleansing and boosting, the price becomes easier to swallow. You’re basically paying for convenience and a nicer user experience, not a totally new type of result.

On the downside, there are a few things that pull the value score down for me:

• No included wall charger, just a cable.
• Not compatible with the older Mini Booster Pro, so no reuse of existing parts.
• The booster effect is real but subtle, so some people will feel like they paid a lot for a fancy face brush.

Overall, I’d say the value is pretty solid if you’re actually going to use it regularly and you care about pore cleanliness and texture. If you’re on a tight budget or just starting skincare, I’d first invest in good cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen, and maybe a cheaper cleansing tool. This device makes more sense as an upgrade for someone who already has their basics covered and wants to add a gadget that gives them a bit more polish and comfort in their routine.

Design-wise, this thing sits somewhere between “cute beauty gadget” and “mini medical tool”. I tried the pink version, which looks nice on the bathroom shelf and doesn’t scream industrial. The shape is compact and slightly curved, so it fits well in the hand, and the single main button keeps it from looking too busy. It’s definitely more travel‑friendly than big cleansing brushes with chunky stands; it drops easily into a toiletry bag without taking half the space.

The cleansing head design is where they clearly put some thought. It has 1,037 bristles in different sizes, and you can actually feel the difference: the center area feels a bit denser for deeper clean, and the edges are softer for around the nose and cheeks. It does a good job reaching the sides of the nose and the chin crease without feeling scratchy. Compared to my silicone brush, this one feels more like a very soft toothbrush for your face. If you have very sensitive skin, you’ll still want to start on the purple (gentle) mode and not press too hard though.

The annoying bit is the attachment system. You have to insert the Mini Booster Pro Plus into the cleansing head properly, and at first it feels like you’re assembling a small toy every time. After a few days, I got quicker at it, but the first couple of uses were a bit of a hassle. Also, because this model is not compatible with the older Mini Booster Pro, medicube basically locks you into this version if you want extra heads later. That’s not a design flaw physically, but more of an ecosystem lock‑in, which I’m not a big fan of.

On the plus side, the controls are simple: one main button cycles through the three modes (red, blue, purple). The light colors are clear and you can tell which one you’re on at a glance. There’s no tiny unreadable text or weird icons. The water‑resistant build is decent; I rinsed the brush head under running water after each use and wiped the body with a damp cloth, and nothing felt loose or fragile. Just make sure the bottom cap is on tight if you’re going near running water. Overall, the design is pretty solid and practical, with a small learning curve on how to assemble and detach the head without feeling like you’ll break it.

The device is battery powered and USB‑C rechargeable, which is already a plus compared to weird proprietary chargers. Out of the box, mine had some charge, but I topped it up fully before using. Over roughly two weeks of use (once a day on average, sometimes twice), I only had to charge it once. So in real use, you’re looking at around 10–14 days per charge depending on how long your sessions are and how often you use the stronger modes.

Charging is straightforward: plug in a USB‑C cable, wait for it to top up. There’s no dedicated charging dock, which keeps clutter down but also means you need to be careful where you leave it while it’s plugged in, especially in a bathroom. It doesn’t come with a wall adapter, just the cable, which at this price point feels a bit cheap. Most people have spare adapters, sure, but for a premium‑leaning device, including one wouldn’t hurt.

In terms of battery indicators, it’s not ultra sophisticated, but you can tell when it’s running low because the power weakens slightly and the indicator light changes. It never died mid‑session on me, even when it was clearly near empty, which is good. I’d usually just plug it in while brushing my teeth at night once a week or so and it stayed topped up. There’s no fast‑charge or anything fancy, but it charges in a reasonable time (around 1.5–2 hours to go from low to full in my case).

Overall, the battery is good enough for travel and daily use. You can throw it in a bag for a week‑long trip without bringing the charger if you start with a full battery. Still, considering the cost and the fact it’s meant to be a regular part of your routine, I would have liked a slightly clearer battery indicator and maybe a basic charging stand to keep it upright and dry between uses. Not a dealbreaker, but not perfect either.

In terms of comfort, I’d say it sits in a good middle zone: stronger than manual washing, but not harsh like some cheap rotating brushes. The bristles are soft and flexible, so as long as you don’t jam it into your face, it feels more like a firm massage than a scrub. On the red mode (daily cleansing), I could easily use it every day without irritation. The purple mode is even gentler, and that’s what I used on days when my skin felt a bit dry or after using acids the night before.

The blue mode is where it gets more intense. It’s meant for deeper pore cleansing, and you can feel stronger vibration and more focused action on the T‑zone. I used it maybe two or three times a week on my nose and chin. It didn’t hurt, but the sensation is more aggressive, so I wouldn’t drag it all over the face every day, especially if you’re sensitive or prone to redness. If you’re used to scrubs and peels, you’ll probably be fine, but if your skin is reactive, stick to red/purple most of the time.

Using the booster without the brush is a different story. At first, I did exactly what one reviewer described: I just moved it around quickly and thought, “okay, expensive vibrator on my cheek.” Then I realized you need to keep it pressed on one spot for a bit. When you do that, you feel a mild “zap” or microcurrent‑type pulse under the vibration. It’s not painful, but you definitely feel it, especially on thinner areas like near the cheekbones or jawline. If you hate any kind of electric tingle on your face, this part might not be for you.

From a practical standpoint, the size and weight are comfortable. I could do a full cleanse (about a minute or so) without my hand cramping. The handle doesn’t get slippery even when wet, which is important when you’re dealing with cleanser and water. Noise level is there but not crazy; it’s like an electric toothbrush, so you’ll hear it, but it’s not going to wake the whole house. Overall, comfort is good as long as you take a few minutes to figure out which mode and intensity your skin can handle and you don’t rush the booster part.

In day‑to‑day use, the device is pretty reliable once you get your routine down. I usually did a 60–90 second cleanse: 40 seconds on red mode all over, then 20–30 seconds with blue on the T‑zone every other day. The vibration patterns are clearly different between modes. Red feels like a standard, steady vibration, blue feels stronger and more intense, and purple backs off a bit for gentler use. The transitions are simple: one press cycles through, so you’re not stuck fiddling with long press combos.

The AGE‑R app is optional. I connected it once just to check it out. You can tweak intensity and log routines, but after the novelty wore off, I just used the physical button. If you like tracking every part of your routine, you might enjoy the app, but the device works fine without it. There’s no weird lag or connection issue that affects the core function; it’s more of a side feature than a requirement.

The biggest performance catch is user technique. If you just quickly swipe the booster across your face, you’ll think it’s doing nothing special. To get the “zappy” microcurrent effect one reviewer described, you have to: 1) apply a serum or hydrating product so there’s slip, 2) press the device firmly against the skin, and 3) pause for a second or two before sliding slowly. When I did that, I felt the deeper pulses. When I rushed it, it felt like a random vibration tool. So there is a learning curve, and I’d say the first 2–3 sessions are basically you figuring out what the hell you’re doing.

Once I got used to it, performance was consistent. No random shut‑offs, no weird overheating, no sudden mode switching. It handled daily use fine, including rinsing the brush head after each cleanse. I didn’t try submerging it or using it directly under the shower stream because I don’t fully trust “water‑resistant” claims on anything that has a charging port, but for normal sink use it held up well. Overall, performance is solid, but you only get full value if you’re willing to spend a little time learning how to use the booster correctly instead of treating it like a basic vibrating brush.

In the box you get the Mini Booster Pro Plus main unit, the cleansing head attachment, a bottom cover, and the usual paperwork. There’s no separate big charging dock, it’s USB‑C rechargeable, which I like because it fits the same cable as my phone. That said, for the price, they could have thrown in an actual wall plug instead of just assuming everyone has one lying around. The whole set weighs around 550 g in the packaging, but the device itself is light enough that your hand doesn’t get tired.

The main idea is simple: with the brush head attached, it’s a facial cleansing brush. You put your cleanser on your wet face or directly on the brush, choose your mode (red, blue, or purple), and gently work it around your face. Then you pop off the brush head, apply your serum or cream, and use the bare Mini Booster Pro Plus on your skin to help it absorb better. The brand also pushes the AGE‑R app, which lets you tweak intensity and track routines. I tried pairing it; it works, but honestly I didn’t feel like opening an app every time I washed my face.

One thing to flag: this Plus version is not compatible with the older Mini Booster Pro, so if you already own the old one, you can’t just buy the cleansing head and clip it on. It’s a different system. That might annoy people who invested in the earlier device. Also, while they say it’s water‑resistant and fine for shower use “when the bottom cover is fully secured”, I personally treated it as splash‑proof and used it at the sink. Given one reviewer said not to use it in the shower, I wouldn’t push my luck.

Overall, the presentation is clean and looks like a high‑end Korean device, but it’s still a bit overcomplicated for beginners. It’s not plug‑and‑play like a cheap cleansing brush: you have modes, an app, an attachment, and a learning curve. If you like gadgets and don’t mind tinkering a bit at the start, you’ll be fine. If you want idiot‑proof simplicity, this might feel slightly overdesigned.

This is the section that actually matters: does it do anything noticeable? For cleansing, yes. Compared to washing with just my hands, my skin felt cleaner and smoother right after the first use. After about a week, I noticed two concrete things: my nose looked less congested and my makeup went on a bit smoother, especially around the sides of my nose and chin where foundation usually clings. It didn’t completely erase blackheads, but it reduced the obvious ones and kept new buildup down, especially when I used the blue mode 2–3 times a week on the T‑zone.

On days when I wore heavier makeup, I still did a proper double cleanse (oil or balm first, then gel cleanser with this device). The brush helped remove leftover makeup that my hands clearly missed; the cotton pad with toner after was much cleaner than usual. So as a cleansing tool, I’d say it’s more than just a gimmick. It genuinely gets into pores better than basic manual washing. I can see why a reviewer said it helped with blackheads on the nose – I had a similar experience, just not 100% clean slate, more like a solid reduction.

The booster function is where it gets more subtle. Used correctly (serum on, device pressed and held in place for a second before moving slowly), I did feel products sink in faster. My skin looked a bit more plumped right after, but that could also be from the massage and blood flow. Over two weeks, I didn’t see a huge anti‑aging effect or anything dramatic, but I did notice that my skin texture looked slightly more even and less dull, especially on days I used it after a sheet mask like one reviewer mentioned. It’s more of a small boost than a big visible change.

If you’re expecting this device to fix acne, deep wrinkles, or major texture issues on its own, you’ll be disappointed. It’s more of a support tool: it helps your existing skincare work a bit better and keeps pores cleaner than hands alone. For me, that’s worth something, but it’s not life‑changing. It’s effective within realistic limits: better cleanse, somewhat clearer pores, slightly smoother texture, especially if you already have a decent routine and you’re consistent.