While it's technically easy to grow a beard doing absolutely nothing, you're more than likely to face a scruffy unkempt mess if you let nature take its course without any intervention. You owe it to your face to take matters into your own hands and, thankfully, it's a pretty straightforward process when you have the right beard trimmer for the job.
Although it may seem like an intimidating task, maintaining your facial hair can be easy – enjoyable, even – if you have the right tools for the job. Apart from using the right beard shampoo and/or beard oil, a quality beard trimmer is one of the most important tools in your grooming kit to help tame your facial hair. Whether you’re after a rugged yet effortless five o’clock shadow or a beard of Santa Claus proportions, there’s a beard trimmer out there that’s right for you.
So, to help you choose the right beard trimmer for you, we've put the best beard trimmers through their paces to help make your decision easier.
What’s the difference between beard trimmers and multi groomers?
Beard trimmers do exactly what you’d expect: they trim down your beard using adjustable guards that ensure a clean, even cut, for a smarter look. Multi groomers work in the same way, but also have different attachments for tackling other body hair from head to toe, without risking any nefarious cuts that might otherwise ruin your day. Many people opt for a multi groomer to keep bathroom cabinet clutter to a minimum.
Which is the best beard trimmer for a neat stubble?
Neat stubble can be tricky to achieve if you haven’t got a suitable trimmer. Ideally, you want one that offers a very close, precise shave, which means you’re looking at spending a little more money for trimmers with a multitude of precision length settings. Alternatively, you can spend less on a trimmer with separate guard attachments, which will be cheaper than an adjustable one, although it’ll take up more room in your travel bag/cupboard.
Which beard trimmer is best for longer beards?
One of the key things to look out for if you have a particularly long beard is battery life. Keep an eye out for trimmers that have at least 50 minutes of run time, to ensure you won’t be reaching for the charger in between sessions. In addition, make sure your trimmer can handle thicker facial hair without breaking a sweat. Something like the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, which has an integrated metal comb and sensor for checking hair density, is ideal.
Where most beard trimmers take the Ronseal approach to technological innovation – “it does what it says on the tin” – Philips’ Series 7000 claims an invention of cataclysmic proportions. It’ll vacuum up your beard hair as you trim, so you needn’t spend five minutes or so after you’re done shaving cleaning up the sink. Does it actually work? Pretty much. It’s not going to suck up all of your hair, but there was significantly less for us to worry about before. Just as significantly this is a fundamentally sound beard trimmer in all the normal respects. It’s lightweight and ergonomic to handle, a rotating dial offers a simple means to adjust the length of your trim for a consistent finish and there’s ample protection against cuts and nicks. As beard trimmers go, this is as hassle-free a model as you could hope to own.
Our internal analytics tell us that this Hatteker kit is the top seller among our readers, and for good reason. First, it's a high-quality all-in-one kit that covers every kind of hair-trimming task, from lineups to sideburns to beards, eyebrows, and body hair It holds an 2.5 hour charge of 90 minutes of plug-in time—enough for a week vacation. Overall, it's a bargain, since it's a damn good (and comprehensive) workhorse.
No follicle is safe when armed with Wahl's 20-in-one trimmer, which with the help of four interchangeable heads and 16 guide combs doesn't just offer maximum styling potential for the hair on you face, but also your body. Perfect for all lengths, from short stubble to longer beards, combs accommodate lengths from. 0.2 to 25mm, plus attachments to help you achieve a close shave and neaten up your edges. Though not the most premium-feeling design, it is indisputably sturdy and dependable, suitable for wet and dry use and offering 180 minutes of. run time from only one hours on charge, and even offering 15 minutes from a five-minute quick charge. Coming with a nifty, minuscule carry case that stores all its contents, you'll struggle to find so much to shout about in any other single device.
There’s something very appealing about the stainless-steel body of the Philips Series 9000 Prestige trimmer. Say what you like about the lightweight plastic alternatives and their relative maneuverability, we’ll take this kind of quality finish at the cost of a little extra weight any day of the week. Even given the smart travel case it comes with, there's little sign of style-over-substance when it comes to the functionality of this masterfully crafted beard trimmer. The sturdiness of the build is reflected in a trim that's unfazed by even the bushiest of facial overgrowth, thanks in equal measure to the “Steel Precision” tech incorporated into its sturdy integrated metal comb and a sensor that’ll intuitively check hair density and adapt the motor accordingly to maintain consistency and power. Pair that with long-lasting battery (two hours from an hour-long charge) and the fact you can achieve 30 lengths with just one attachment (no more fiddly stowaway plastic combs in your bathroom cabinet), it's a welcome addition to any man's sink-side that ticks just about every box.
Braun's updated BT3221 beard trimmer is just as much a bargain as its predecessor, offering a precision dial for 20 length settings in 0.5mm steps, along with lifetime sharp blades for less than £20. You can get up to 50 minutes of cordless trimming per charge and once you're done trimming removing the guard lets it act as a precision edging tool for your neck and cheek line. Throw in a comfortable grip and the fact you never have to swap out for a new blade and this could very well be the best budget beard trimmer we've seen.
If you’ve got – or have aspirations of growing – a thick, lustrous beard, then this robust trimmer from Panasonic could be your best ally for tackling it at its most unruly. It features a whopping 58 cutting lengths, with three attachments and an easily adjustable head, to help you keep your facial hair tame during the growth period. Plus, it’s water resistant, so you can use it on wet hair and give it a thorough clean after tackling other parts of the body. The downside? It's not quite as adept at whittling down stubble, which is a shame when you would expect all-round excellence at this price point.
At the more affordable scale of the beard trimmer marketplace, Gillette's heritage-inspired King C. Gillette range powers its take with Braun technology for a quality cosign you can rely on. That means battery power upwards of 50 minutes with consistent elbow grease and a not-too-shabby choice between eleven length settings with only three comb attachments. It looks slick for its price point and boasts an ergonomic build that's comfortable to hold and easily maneuvered to other areas, including the head. Used without the comb, it'll also neatly tackle the edges of your stubble and sideburns at a length of 0.5mm. The feel might not be quite as premium as a Philips or Wahl alternative, but there's plenty of versatility for your buck.
There’s something about this beard trimmer that just feels very familiar in hand. The design, while not rocking the boat in terms of premium finish, is slick in its simplicity, mirroring the ease of use afforded by the zoom wheel which adjusts its 17 cutting lengths (from 0.4 to 18mm). Its efficiency gives it a sense of essentialness, so it’s fitting that its color scheme is reminiscent of a power tool. It’s fitted with titanium coated blades, which are low maintenance and won’t go blunt on you after a few initially impressive trims, plus it boasts an additional 20 minutes of cordless run time on its predecessor, the B4. What Remington succeeds with in regards to fuss-free design and user experience, it does lack in styling versatility compared to some other models in our list – a downfall for anyone who undergoes particularly meticulous stubble preening, but perhaps not a huge issue if what you’re looking for is a dependable device at an accessible price point.
Is it a private jet? Is it made crystalline carbon? Remington’s G4 Graphite falls flat on both those charges, but makes up for its hyper-masculine tag by actually being a good budget, friendly trimmer. Despite its bargain-friendly price, this device still comes with seven shaving attachments and can be relied upon for a trusty combination of stubble maintenance and mid-sized beard trimming. It’s not going to pull up any metaphorical trees but does represent a handy pick for students and hormone-ravaged teens alike.
Anyone who spends a good chunk of their working life hopping between locales will know that the contents of a man's wash bag is often akin to the Bermuda Triangle. Just because you think you left your toothpaste in there doesn't mean it hasn't slipped into an entirely different spacetime continuum. While most of us can suffer the loss of the odd travel-sized toiletry, you can't say the same for more expensive grooming tech. So do your peace of mind a favor with this Philips Series 3000 trimmer, which will keep you sharp on the road for less than twenty quid. With seven attachments included all levels of scruff are catered for.