11 Best Beard Trimmers (2024): Full Beards, Hair, Stubble
beard trimmer is a very simple device that can produce wildly different results. Different beards have very different needs depending on their haircut and style. Quality matters. Cheap blades don’t save money if they die young. The last thing one needs in the morning is a sluggish or underpowered trimmer pushing your hair around instead of cutting it—or worse, pulling it.
There are a dazzling array of trimmers in the shopping aisles, all of which advertise “professional precision” and “lifetime blades” without corresponding warranties, making it difficult to choose. We consulted barbers and hair experts before turning those blades on our own faces. Our team included multiple testers with different morning routines, multiple versions and beard visions. Whether your goal is rugged stubble, detailed geometry, or an elegant lumberjack-tended thatch, we have the right option for you.
For more beauty guides, check out The best hair removal creams and toolsthis best hair dryer,as well as best hair straightener.
Updated December 2024: We’ve added the Philips Norelco Multigroom and the classic, barber-recommended favorite Wahl Peanut.
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Beards grow about a millimeter every two or three days, depending on who you are—an average of one-eighth of an inch per week. So testing a beard trimmer can take a long time.
Generally speaking, we test each beard trimmer once the beard is long enough for a good trim – using at least two trimming lengths. Weight and balance are important, as is the blade’s ability to reach awkward areas around the neck. Our testers check that any accessory is well-made and easy to use, and verify manufacturer claims about battery life and power. We also check with professional barbers, specifically to verify durability and reliability claims between brands and models.
Tester Andrew Williams has a thick beard with long stubble. Tester Matthew Korfhage’s hair is thick and angry, and he seems to have a mind of his own. We try to reflect any possible issues (such as struggling with thick bristles) in our reviews so that you can ensure you get the best trimming results with the least effort.
Here’s some help choosing the right features for your facial fuzz.
- Ceramic blades vs. steel blades: Ceramic blades retain their sharpness better than steel blades, but the smaller teeth of quality beard trimming blades tend to be made of stainless steel.
- barrel control: Some beard trimmers have twist controls on the device. For an easier life, choose one with minimal attachments.
- Nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium-ion batteries: Avoid trimmers that take too long to charge and trimmers that use old NiMH batteries. They don’t take as long to charge as lithium-ion batteries.
- Waterproof? Trimming your beard in the shower isn’t as beneficial as wet shaving, but the waterproof design does allow you to feel safe washing your beard trimmer under the tap.
- USB charging: It’s taken a long time, but you can finally buy a USB charging cable for your beard trimmer, and the Manscaped even uses USB-C on the case. One of the great benefits of traveling.
- Small teeth and big teeth: Larger blade teeth can cut through thicker hair, but smaller blades allow for tighter, more precise cuts. The best example of the latter is the Philips OneBlade series.
- Wide blade vs. narrow blade: Hair trimmers have wider blades than beard trimmers. Narrower styles offer greater control and minimize time loss for those with shorter facial hair.
- Do the blades need to be replaced? Use blade oil (usually included) to avoid rust and your blades will last for years. However, the Philips OneBlade trimmer-shaving hybrid model will require more regular replacement.
- vacuum? Some beard trimmers have a vacuum feature to avoid beard trimming all over the place. In fact, it’s a bit of a gimmick.
2024-12-25 13:02:00