Tech

The best beard trimmers for every style of facial hair

Keep your face fuzz looking fresh and tidy.
By Joseph Green , Dylan Haas , and Matt Ford  on 
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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Do you want your face constantly nestled in a cozy, luscious beard? Or do you want every single follicle eradicated from your beautiful mug? Either way, the fact remains: You need the tools to take care of your facial hair.

Do whatever it takes to not look like a scraggly mess. If your face isn't looking its best, you're not going to feel your best. That's a rule of manhood.

To get the job done, you need a good beard trimmer — and thankfully, most of the best ones are very affordable. What makes a good beard trimmer, though? How do you find the best one for you? There are things to consider: Portability, ergonomics, battery life, maintenance, and extra attachments. Let's break it down with a quick guide.

What are the different types of beard trimmers?

Beard trimmers are mostly alike: Cordless handheld clippers that plug in and do the stuff. There are some variations on the design, though. Philips and Gillette both offer a trimmer that’s much closer to a regular razor, which may be preferable for gents who like a close shave, or those who just enjoy the feel of a traditional razor. It's specialist features that make the difference: Things like. multiple length settings or a built-in vacuum that collects all the beard trimmings.

What are the best beard trimmer accessories?

It’s less a case of which ones are best and more a case of what you need. Standard accessories you can expect to find with beard trimmers include comb attachments of different grades, usually in increments of 0.5mm, which allow you to maintain beards of all lengths. Other handy accessories are detailing attachments, which are used for shaping and styling and crafting sharp, defined lines along the cheek and neck lines. There are even attachments for targeting ear and nose hair. Look out for little cleaning brushes and portable carry cases too.

Hoe long does a beard trimmer battery last?

Different beard trimmers pack different levels of power. Bear in mind that more specialist models may have lower runtimes, but a reasonable life for most beard trimmers is 45-60 minutes. Good beard trimmers will have a quick charge feature, which gives you around 15 minutes use from a five-minute charge. Always handy.

How often should you trim your beard?

There’s no exact science, though barbers recommend trimming every three days to keep your beard style precise. That applies to longer beards, of course. For stubble or short beards, a daily run-over with the right comb attachment will do.

What is the best beard trimmer?

Facial hair is something that's very personal, so picking out a beard trimmer is naturally going to be a very personal choice. You want to get the one that makes the most sense for your facial hair style, and most importantly, one that will make you look and feel like your best self. We took all of these factors into account and searched the internet for the best beard trimmers on the market.

These are the best beard trimmers in 2023.

If you've been sticking to disposable razors out of habit, the Philips OneBlade(opens in a new tab) is a great option for transitioning from razor to trimmer.

Indeed, this hybrid facial-hair-styler looks like a run-of-the-mill razor, but that's where the similarities stop. Once you turn the OneBlade on, the movement of the internal trimmer can get you an almost clean shave — but without the worry of nicks, cuts, or irritating red spots. When the device is off, the blade isn't even sharp to the touch.

The design of the head can make it more difficult to create consistent lines. But this trimmer is obviously built for a closer cut, not for creating shapes. 

You will have to replace the head every few months, which might be a deal-breaker for some. But that doesn't negate the OneBlade's results, which are very good indeed.  

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The Braun MGK5280(opens in a new tab) does far more than just give you a quick trim. It comes equipped with an armoury of helpful attachments that'll help you keep your face (and body) both fresh-looking and always in good shape.

The package comes with four detachable combs that span 13 length settings, plus attachments for ear, nose, body, and detail trimming. You even get a traditional Gillette razor for when you want an old school clean shave.

The lightweight design is perfect for travel use. The 60-minute battery is also a big help when you're taking it on-the-go. Who wants to carry a charger around with them too? The trimmer is also waterproof — just run it under the tap to remove clippings.

The main negative is that the trimmer feels budget. But it is a low-cost option, so let’s manage those expectations. A plasticky feel can’t take away from the fact this trimmer does pretty much everything for a pleasingly low price.

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This one is for the bearded individuals who like to keep their style in control at all times. The Remington B5(opens in a new tab) has an easy-to-use Zoom wheel, which allows you to cycle through 17 comb length options — from 0.4mm to 18mm. The wheel is intuitively placed on the handle for quick cycling thumb action. The blades are titanium and self-sharpening so there are zero worries about them getting the job done.

Another standout feature is the B5's charging capability. It’s fully juiced in just two hours thanks to a lithium battery, and the trimmer will run cordless for 60 minutes. That makes this ideal for busy men who are always on-the-go. 

You also get a handy travel pouch to keep it safe, whether you’re jet-setting across the world, getting ready at the gym, or need a quick blast when you get to the office. 

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Wahl is a brand that most stubbly Brits will know — a favourite amongst in-the-know barbers. And who better to trust when it comes to grooming expertise?

The Wahl Aqua Stubble and Beard Trimmer(opens in a new tab) makes our list because it lives up to the aqua moniker. It can be used for both dry and wet shaves, even in the shower — and does a ruddy good job while doing so. Wahl promises you'll get a shave that’s as close as it's possible to get without using an actual razor.

If versatility is a priority, look no further. Because this one’s certainly got the equipment to mix things up. It comes with 16 comb attachments, so you’re covered no matter what beard length you prefer to keep. 

The Wahl Aqua Stubble and Beard Trimmer is always ready to go, too. A quick five minutes charge gives you a solid 15 minutes of trimming power.

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Most men who use beard trimmers — or even just regular razors — swear by Remington. Which is why the brand makes this list. And for what you get at this price, the Remington Vacuum Beard and Stubble Trimmer(opens in a new tab) is a steal.  

Not just a great trimmer in its own right, it has a vacuum built into the handle so it sucks up all the hair clippings and cut-offs as you sheer through that face fuzz — all the bits that would normally end up making a mess over the bathroom sink. All you need to do it remove the casing and empty the vacuum chamber.

It has an adjustable comb, allowing you to choose from length settings between 2-18mm, plus a styler attachment for keeping your facial hair well detailed. The trimmer has reasonable cordless stamina at 60 minutes, though it takes two hours to charge.

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There is zero shame in being a basic bloke. If you don't need a fancy trimmer, don't get one. Why spend loads of money when all you need is a quick trim every few days?

For the beard minimalists of the world, the Gillette Styler(opens in a new tab) is a totally satisfactory, low-investment pick. This all-in-one detailing device can trim up to four different lengths. It has three combs and a no-guard setting, plus, a Gillette Fusion5 blade (with a detailing blade on the rear for your neck and cheek lines) for a clean shave. 

It's also waterproof. Just run it under some water for a quick clean and you're ready for the next shave session. You can even use it in the shower. Yep, it really is that simple.  

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The Panasonic i-Shaper(opens in a new tab) is something different — a 3-in-1 tool that shaves, trims, and details. It has a unique curved head that gets into those normally awkward areas under your chin or on the hairline. A detailing attachment allows you to trim small areas to get that precise style. It’s little wonder that this trimmer has won awards. 

If you want to do regular beard trimming, just attach the removable comb head. That allows you to trim down longer length beards, and there’s an adjustment dial that ranges between 0.5-10mm. The head itself is a generous 35mm wide. That means you can cut your whole beard off with a few simple swipes, if you feel like a change. 

If there’s a downside, it’s the constant changing of heads. This can be a clunky exercise. But otherwise it’s a superb design that does the job perfectly.

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Photo of Joseph Green
Joseph Green
Shopping Editor

Joseph joined Mashable as the UK Shopping Editor in 2018. He worked for a number of print publications before making the switch to the glittery world of digital media, and now writes about everything from coffee machines to VPNs.

author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, and sleep. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a Marketing and Management Assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on Twitter at @iamdylanhaas(opens in a new tab), or send him an email at [email protected]

Mashable Image
Matt Ford

Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.


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