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Best beard trimmers for anyone who’s Googled, ‘How to grow a beard’

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5 years ago

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Whether you’re rocking a full beard or some super chic stubble, you’re going to need to maintain it with a quality trimmer.

By Dylan Haas

Whether you want your face constantly nestled in a cozy, luscious beard, or want every single follicle eradicated from your beautiful mug, the fact still stands: You need to take care of your facial hair. And by “take care of it,” we mean trim it. Shape it. Tidy it up. Do whatever it takes to not look like a scraggly mess — because if your face isn’t looking its best, you’re not going to feel your best. 

To do that, you’re going to need a good beard trimmer — and thankfully, most of the best ones are actually really affordable. What makes a good beard trimmer, though? How do you find the best one for you? Well, we’ll tell you. 

When it comes to beard trimmers, the main features you’re going to want to keep an eye out for are portability, ergonomics, battery life, maintenance, and if there are any extra attachments that would be useful for your specific type of facial hairstyle. Have a long, Santa-esque beard? You’ll want a trimmer with multiple comb lengths so you can shape it to your liking. More into the fashion-forward stubble look? Then you should pick up something that’s designed to make sharp, defined lines along the cheek and neck lines. 

Facial hair is something that’s very personal to people, so picking out a beard trimmer is naturally going to end up being a very personal choice — and while all the trimmers we found are great in our eyes, you’ll ultimately need to choose the one that speaks to you. You want to get the one that makes the most sense for your facial hair goals and preferences, 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 across the internet for the best beard trimmers on the market. After reading countless reviews, looking at a wide array of models, and scrutinizing the surprising number of possible attachments (seriously, it can almost get kind of stressful), we can say with confidence that these are our definitive picks.


Portable • Runs quiet • Includes charging stand and carrying case • Ceramic blade can achieve a close shave • 90-minute battery life

Not as useful for guys with long beards who want to keep it that way • Perhaps a bit *too* lightweight — can throw off the balance at times

This lightweight, portable trimmer is ideal for taking with you on your travels, and its long battery life is a great bonus.

1. Brio Axis Trimmer

If you need a portable, lightweight trimmer that can achieve an ultra-close shave, you can’t go wrong with the Brio Axis.

  • Battery life:
    90 minutes
  • Attachments:
    N/A
The Brio Axis Trimmer really brings both style and substance to the table — for under $50, that’s not an easy thing to find. 
The clipper has a nicely contoured grip that gives comfortable control, so you won’t be struggling as you take your time with detailing out fine lines and edges. Brio also opts for a ceramic blade as opposed to the more widely used stainless steel — it’s a harder material that’ll get you a closer shave, which is great for guys who like to keep a little bit of stubble instead of going completely baby-faced (but it’s easier to break, so try not to drop it). 
The trimmer’s 90-minute battery life is a welcome luxury, and the bundle even comes with a charging stand that can hold it in an upright position on your sink (way better than shoving it in a random drawer). Another bonus is the Brio’s portable size — only about 5.75 inches long — which makes it ideal for bringing along on your travels (you’ll receive a case with your purchase, too). 

Gets an almost clean shave with no fear of cuts or irritation • Comes with three different stubble combs • Stylish • Easy transition from disposable blades to a trimmer

Blades need to be replaced every few months • Disposable razor design makes it a little harder to define sharp lines

This hybrid trimmer looks like a normal razor but eliminates the fear of cuts and irritation — a great transition into trimmers for those not yet familiar.

2. Philips Norelco OneBlade

Even though it mimics the look of a traditional razor, this trimmer is anything but — and won’t cut you during usage.

  • Battery life:
    45 minutes
  • Attachments:
    Three assorted stubble combs
If you’ve been sticking to disposable razors solely because you’re used to them, the Philips Norelco OneBlade is a great opportunity to transition into a trimmer. 
This hybrid facial-hair-styler looks like your 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 cutting yourself by accident or causing annoying, red irritation spots. When the device is powered off, the included blade isn’t even sharp to the touch.
Unfortunately, the design of the head can make it a bit more difficult to create consistent lines — but then again, this trimmer was obviously built for a closer cut, not for creating shapes. The battery life caps at about 45 minutes, which is pretty good for a $35 piece of hardware, but one thing that may be an annoyance is the fact that the OneBlade head needs to be replaced every few months. When the point of switching to an electric shaver or trimmer is to cut out the cost of having to re-up your razor supply, this might be a deal-breaker for some. But, that doesn’t negate the OneBlade’s results, which are good. 

Vacuum feature • Comb length dial • Can be used while plugged in

Usually requires more than one pass

Once you pick up a Philips Norelco vacuum trimmer, most others will pale in comparison.

Most people that use beard trimmers swear by Philips Norelco’s vacuum series (me included), and for what you get, a $55 price point is a steal. 
You might have read the word “vacuum” and immediately become confused — which is understandable, it is a beard trimmer, after all — but this device actually does have a vacuum in it. That’s right, as you comb through your luscious face locks, the Philips Norelco 7200 sucks up all the little bits that would normally end up on and around your bathroom sink (and floor, too). 
Another amazing feature is the trimmer’s radial dial that can change comb lengths on-the-fly (up to 20 different settings), giving it a versatility factor that is hard to find among other products of its kind. The trimmer can last up to eight hours of cordless use, but can also be used while plugged in if needed. 
It gets a pretty accurate trim on the first pass, but going over it again isn’t too much of a hassle, considering all of the positives. 

Barber-quality accuracy and power • Great for creating hard lines • Easy to adjust and clean • 8-hour battery life • Ergonomic with a good, weighted balance • Runs cool

Not for beginners • Might be out of most people’s budget range

When it comes to making professional shape-ups, the Bevel has almost no match. It’s super long battery life is a nice luxury, too.

4. Bevel Trimmer

If you want accuracy and power, the Bevel will give you both at a near-professional capacity.

  • Battery life:
    8 hours
  • Attachments:
    N/A
If you want a barber-quality shape-up, look no further than the Bevel Trimmer.
This ultra-ergonomic clipper is hard to beat when it comes to lining yourself up along your cheeks, sideburns, and neckline — it has a nice weight to it as well, which helps you balance when you’re in need of precise accuracy. Also, it can last up to eight hours without needing a charge, which is one of the longest battery caps we’ve seen on a wireless trimmer, bar none. 
The comb length is easy enough to adjust by simply removing the top and customizing the gap (the top then effortlessly snaps back on). It’s also a breeze to keep clean, which helps keep out bacteria that can cause razor bumps and other sorts of irritation. It even runs cool, unlike other trimmers that heat up after just a few minutes and can hurt if you aren’t careful. 
The Bevel is a great trimmer, but not for beginners — its accuracy and power should only be graduated to after you feel confident enough with shaping your facial hair. Otherwise, you might end up looking a little busted, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. 

Long battery life • Quick charge option • Waterproof • Turbo mode • Adjustable comb • Lots of attachments and extras

Might be more attachments you need/have a use for • Not great for close trimming — better for full beards

If you want a large assortment of attachments, the Remington is the way to go — its long battery life and included travel case sweeten the deal as well.

5. Remington PG6171

This trimmer is good for a person who wants options — with 11 pieces, there’s an attachment for whatever you need to do (you get a travel kit, too).

  • Battery life:
    3 hours
  • Attachments:
    Full-sized trimmer, detail trimmer, detail foil shaver, nose, ear and eyebrow trimmer, 5 combs, an adjustable comb, and a storage/travel pouch
This one is for the beard-havers that like to have options — with this Remington bundle, you’ll have plenty of attachments to choose from (a detail trimmer, foil shaver, nose, ear and eyebrow trimmer, five combs, and an adjustable comb with 10 lock-in length settings, to be exact). 
Another standout feature is the Remington’s long battery life — you’ll get up to three hours with each charge, and you can even take advantage of the device’s five-minute quick charge feature that will give you enough power for one full shave when you’re in more of a rush. The device’s extended neck makes creating detail much easier than the more bulky products out there, the optional “turbo mode” enables the trimmer to cut through even the thickest facial hair like butter, and its 100% waterproof design makes cleaning and maintenance pretty simple.
Overall, it’s a powerful trimmer that brings a healthy (perhaps even overwhelming) amount of versatility to the table (or should we say bathroom counter). 

All the essential attachments you need • Comes with a traditional wet razor • 60-minute charge • 13 different length options • Easy cleaning

Feels a bit cheap (it *is* cheap) • Motor is weaker than it should be

This bundle gets you more than just a trimmer — you’ll also receive attachments that’ll round out your upkeep regimen, as well as a traditional razor for when you want a totally clean shave.

6. Braun MGK3060

This Braun bundle has all the attachments and combs you’ll need to keep your face fresh and in shape — it even comes with a free traditional wet razor, too.

  • Battery life:
    60 minutes
  • Attachments:
    Four combs, detail trimmer, ear and nose trimmer
The Braun MGK3060 trimmer is the epitome of “bang for your buck” in that It does far more than just give you a quick trim — it comes grouped together with a bevy of helpful attachments that’ll help you keep your face fresh and in shape.
Not only does the package come with four detachable combs that span 13 length settings, but you’ll also get a detail trimmer, as well as an ear and nose hair trimmer. You’ll even get a traditional Gillette razor for when you want a fully clean shave, because why not?
Its lightweight design is perfect for bringing around with you, and will feel right at home in your gym bag or dopp kit. The 60-minute battery is also a big help when you’re taking it on-the-go — who wants to have to carry a charger around with them too? Upkeep is a cinch — the trimmer is waterproof, so you can just run it under the faucet to quickly remove any excess clippings.
When it comes to the negatives, the main issue would be that the trimmer feels cheap — but, it is cheap, so manage those expectations. Also, the motor could be a bit stronger (it tends to slow down towards the end of a charge).

Minimalistic and affordable • Gillette Fusion5 blade attachment • Assorted length combs • Ultra-portable • Waterproof

Not the most durable • Not all that powerful

Basic, but not in a bad way — the Gillette beard styler has all the essentials you need in a portable, affordable package.

7. Gillette Waterproof Beard Styler

Perfect for the self-aware facial-hair-wearer that prefers minimalism over the more fancy grooming products.

  • Battery life:
    Battery-powered — lasts up to a month
  • Attachments:
    Three length combs, one Gillette Fusion5 blade
Listen to us: There is zero shame in keeping it basic. If you don’t need a fancy facial hair device, don’t get one! Why spend a ton of money when maybe you only need a trim every few days? (There’s no shame in being follicly challenged, either.) 
For the beard minimalists of the world, the Gillette beard styler is a totally satisfactory, low-investment pick. This all-in-one detailing device can trim up to four different lengths (three combs, and a no-guard setting), and even has the ability to attach a Gillette Fusion5 blade (which has a detailing blade on the back for your neck and cheek lines) for a completely clean shave. Also, it’s waterproof — run it under some water, and you’re ready for the next shave session (or even use it in the shower). 
Yep, it’s as simple as that. 

SkinSafe blade doesn’t nick or pull on sensitive areas • Runs quietly • Decent battery life • Non-slip grip • Waterproof • Powerful motor and ceramic blade

You’ll have to go over each area a few times • Combs need to be replaced often

If you’ve got a lot of body hair, you need to keep it all in check — the Lawn Mower lets you do that safely, efficiently, and comfortably.

8. Lawn Mower 2.0

If you want to tidy up more than just your facial hair, the Lawn Mower will keep your whole body in check — *without* hurting your most sensitive of areas.

  • Battery life:
    60 minutes
  • Attachments:
    Two adjustable blade guards
The thing about facial hair is that it’s not the only hair that’s on you — you’ve also got follicles under your arms, on your chest, and you know, down there. Unless, you’re into the “au naturale” look, you should probably keep it tidy all over your body — not just on your face. 
The Lawn Mower is an easy (and safe) way to do all of that, and it’s relatively inexpensive. The body trimmer features a strong, 6,000 RPM motor with QuietStroke technology that keeps it from causing an unnecessary ruckus. The ceramic SkinSafe blade can handle even the curliest and coarsest of hairs without tugging or nicking any sensitive areas. It even has a non-slip, ergonomic surface so you don’t accidentally lose your grip during use.
Along with the trimmer, you’ll also get USB charging cable (offering one hour of use from each full charge), two adjustable blade guards, and a cleaning brush so you can maintain the 100% waterproof device (use it in the shower if you want). 
And hey, it works for your face, too. 

Perfect for nailing the finer details • Attachments for nose hair and lining up edges • Pocket-size

It’s cheap, so don’t expect it to last forever • Easy to lose if you’re not careful

This mini detailer will accompany your actual beard trimmer well — use it to finish up sharper lines, or get rid of unwanted nose, ear, and eyebrow hair.

9. Wahl Micro Groomsman

The perfect companion to a more expensive beard trimmer, this mini detailer is meant for cleaning up the spots that your larger device might have missed on the first pass.

  • Battery life:
    Battery-powered — lasts up to one month
  • Attachments:
    One nose and ear trimmer, one precision trimmer
Okay, we’re going to cheat a little bit — consider it a bonus item. This isn’t a full-on beard trimmer per se, but it’s the perfect accompaniment to a beard trimmer. 
The Wahl Micro Groomsman is a mini detailer that can be used for anything from trimming pesky nose hairs, to shaping up your eyebrows, to getting rid of unsightly ear hairs. For those who aren’t as confident with their line work, the Micro Groomsman is great for an after-trim pass on the neckline, cheeks, jaw, and mustache. For the days that you don’t need a full beard routine, this Wahl device comes in handy for a quick tune-up. The two included attachments provide endless possibilities for keeping you looking like you have it together (even when you might not). 
And did we mention it’s only $9?

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