Just like beards, electric beard trimmers come in various shapes, sizes, and styles.
Growing facial hair is the easy part, but you’ll need good beard management to craft your facial fuzz into awe inspiring beardedness.
Whether you’re looking to manage short designer stubble or a long bushy beard rivaling Santa – or something in between – you’ll need the right grooming tool for the perfect trim.
After long hours researching and reviewing the latest top trimmers, here’s our short-list of 5 kick-ass beard trimmers to buy in 2023.
1. Best Beard Trimmer Overall: Philips Series 7000 Multi Grooming Kit – MG7785/20
Why we like it…
- Get this… it has self-sharpening blades that in 5 years will be as sharp as they were on day 1. (That’s a Philips promise)
- Brushed metal handle with comfortable rubber grip and 100% Water resistant seal.
- Philips most versatile trimmer with 18 tools and attachments.
- Detail Trimmer attachment for creating fine lines and edging.
- Blitz through dense beard hair with Philips “DualCut Technology”, super sharp blades and powerful motor.
- Trim Everything… beard, head, body, ears, and nose hair.
- No blade oiling required.
- This premium beard trimmer is backed by Philips 5-Year guarantee.
- Excellent battery life of 120 minutes from a 1-hour full charge.
- Ideal for… Long beards, Short beards, Shadow Stubbled look, Detailed styling, mustache shaping, and Goatee.
This is Philips Series 7000 top-of-the-line and most advanced multi-function grooming tool. Sometimes you need to trim more hair than just what’s on your face.
Philips created this all-in-one – face, head, body – grooming tool that’s excellently suited for trimming short and long beards, but also head hair clipping and body hair grooming. Philips redesigned the skin-friendly blades to cut twice as fast as their previous models and guarantee that they will remain at the same level of sharpness for at least 5 years.
In the box, you get the very smart-looking brushed metal trimmer handle with black rubber anti-slip grips. A primary metal trimmer, smaller detail trimmer, snap on/off attachments that include x2 designer stubble combs, x1 fully adjustable beard comb, x3 head hair combs, x2 body combs for manscaping, foil shaver, nose, and ear trimmer, and travel pouch.
You want power, precision, speed, durability, and style out of your machine – this trimmer ticks every box.
2. Best For Long Beards: Braun’s BT7240
Why we like it…
- Improved Lithium-ion+ battery for 100 minutes fadeless trimming
- Cordless or corded use and cool charging stand
- Sharp, reliable, lifetime lasting blades
- Comes with Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide manual razor
- Autosensing motor eliminates tugging by maintaining constant speed and power while cutting different hair densities.
- Precision dial and combs provides variable cutting lengths from 0.5 – 20mm
- Washable seal for easy cleaning
What you see here is evolution at work – not the gradual development of living organisms that people like to argue over – but the development of product and how it advances improves, and progresses over time. That’s exactly what you see with Braun’s best beard trimmer to date – the Braun BT7240 precision dial.
I’ve used the older Braun BT7240 Multi Groomer for my beard, which worked well. However, the battery and charge time was poor.
Not with this new Braun product, because it now has an upgraded Lithium-ion+ battery that is 150% better than their previous model.
It now takes just 1 hour to fully charge and offers 100 minutes of trimming power. Vs the miserable 10-hour charge (yes, TEN) for just 40 minutes of trimming that the now inferior model offered.
See, evolution. Braun read customer reviews and looked at ways to improve their already successful range of trimmers.
Another thing that bothered me about the older model was the internal motor would lose power and slow the cutting teeth when hitting thick patches of dense hair.
This new Braun BT7240 has an “autosensing” motor that maximizes a constant level of speed and power through tangled or thick hair, which is another very welcomed improvement.
You’ll notice a prominent dial on the shaver handle which allows you to accurately set the cutting length from short stubble 0.5 to 20mm which can be adjusted in 0.5mm incremental steps by simply turning the dial left or right. There are also 2 attachment combs for trimming short or long beard lengths.
The box contains the sleek space gray handle with the main trimmer, x2 length combs, x1 detail trimmer for small areas, x1 mini foil shaver, x1 charging stand, a cleaning brush, a zipped travel bag, smart plug charger, and Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide razor.
Braun’s range of electric foil shavers are unsurpassed, and they are now developing exceptional quality beard trimmers like this new BT7240 model.
3. Best for Short Beards: Philips Series 5000 BT5502/13 Beard and Stubble Trimmer
Why We Like This Trimmer…
- Easily set your cutting length with the on board “Zoom Wheel”
- “Hair Lift” comb attachment lifts stubborn flat lying and tangled hairs.
- Fast and effortless trimming with double sharpened stainless-steel blades
- Turn the Zoom Wheel to Lock-in your length from 0.4 – 7mm
- Superb 70 minutes run time with cordless or corded function
- Never needs oiled and built to the highest Philips Standard
- Comes with x3 precision combs and detail trimmer for edging
- Small detail foil shaver for clean shaven lines in hard to reach places
You know what’s really annoying about beard trimming?
Those hairs that refuse to be cut, even with multiple passes and extra pressure applied.
This superb Philips Series 5000 BT5502/13 trimmer comes with a unique comb that lifts hairs to the exact cutting length, for the most optimal and even beard styling possible.
The handy zoom wheel allows you to lock-in your desired length in 0.2mm stages. Of course, with all Philips beard trimmers, you’re guaranteed faultless quality and experience from a trusted brand in men’s grooming.
4. Philips Vacuum Beard Trimmer
Why We Like It…
- It has a built-in vacuum system that captures and contains cut hairs
- Scroll the Zoom Wheel with your thumb to pick from 20 length settings
- Blades can be rinsed under water and don’t require oiling
- 2-year guarantee
- 1 whole hour of trimming and can be used corded or cordless
- Comes with precision trimmer and cleaning brush
Here’s the thing, it doesn’t matter if you’re using the worst, or the best beard trimmers in the world – they all have the same problem in common – they leave a mess of hairs in their wake.
If you’re spouse or flatmate is complaining about your trimmed beard hairs strewn all over the bathroom then the Philips Series 7000 vacuum beard trimmer might be just what you’re after.
That’s right, this trimmer will vacuum cut hairs by sucking them into an anti-static storage chamber on the handle for easy emptying in a suitable place, like the bin. It’s the ultimate beard trimmer for clean freaks!
I know what you’re wondering – Is this feature genius or some kind of gimmick. Well, customer feedback reviews of this beard trimmer report that the vacuum does in fact work and reduce (but not entirely eradicate) messy trimmed hairs.
In fact, lab results showed up to 90% of hairs were captured, so yes, it’s a brilliant idea. So, if you’re looking for a great beard trimmer that will reduce mess, then we recommend trying this Philips series 7000 vacuum trimmer.
However, if you have a very long Captain Birdseye beard then we don’t recommend this for you. It’s more suited to shorter beard and stubble styles as very long hairs may not get sucked into the chamber.
Everything from the build quality, precision guide, effortless cutting power, stylish looks, functional no-mess stubble vacuum, and online rave reviews, places this into our top 5 list.
5. Wahl Beard Grooming Kit
Why We Like it...
- World-renowned Wahl manufacturing.
- Superior performance with Wahl’s precision grinding and fine-cutting teeth.
- Short 0.5 designer stubble length setting for the perfect 5 o’clock shadow.
- 4 length combs provide 0.5mm to 13mm cutting length control
- Suitable for trimming and shaping short or longer beards
- Quality Wooden Wahl beard brush included.
- Wahl’s very own 10ml Bottle of Refresh beard oil moistens and nourishes any beard type and leaves a pleasant minty scent.
- Store everything in a stylish carry case.
You might be surprised to learn that manual hair clippers have been around since the 1850s, but it wasn’t until 1921 that Leo J. Wahl introduced the first patented electric hair clipper to consumers. It’s little wonder why this brand is the choice of industry professionals.
Let’s just say, the Wahl brand knows a thing or two about clipping hair.
This Wahl beard grooming kit comes with a quality cordless Wahl beard trimmer with fine teeth for precision trimming.
It holds a battery charge well and has excellent manoeuvrability to craft the perfect facial hairstyles.
The reputable Wahl beard trimmer, plus the carry case, beard oil, comb attachments, and beard brush makes this package that little bit special. In our opinion, this would make an ideal Father’s Day or Christmas gift for the bearded man in your life.
Whether it’s time to treat yourself or someone else, this is a great affordable beard-trimming package that’s well worth considering.
Sometimes it’s true what they say, the best things come in small packages.
- Related: Best Electric Shavers
- Related: Best Hair Clippers
- Related: Cheap Beard Trimmer
How to Choose the Best Beard Trimmer
Beardedness does not imply slovenliness – a man looks his best when his beard is evenly trimmed and well-groomed, and to achieve that, you need a top-rated beard trimmer that’s passed our strict review criteria.
Fashions come and fashions go. There will always be men who opt to shave, but it so happens that the beard is back in style – and some men choose to be bearded simply because they (or other people in their lives) prefer the way it looks and feels.
Enter the beard shaper – an electric grooming tool similar to the electric clipper and electric shaver, but different – with finer teeth designed to cut through coarser hair, and giving you greater ability to trim facial stubble and long beards.
We’ve put this short guide together to inform you about beard trimmers and to give our expert recommendation on choosing the best on the market today.
Remember – beard trimmers are not clippers or shavers.
While technically possible to maintain a beard with hair clippers, it’s not an enjoyable experience.
Clippers excel at cutting hair on the head, but the spacing of their teeth and the width of their blades make them ineffective and uncomfortable when used close to the face.
In addition, the size of a typical hair clipper would make using it for fine detailing work cumbersome (and increase the risk of lopping off part of your beard).
An electric shaver, on the other hand, is just that – it shaves. The closest thing to a beard that it might leave behind is extremely short stubble – at which point, you might as well break out the razor.
Rechargeable Beard Trimmers are Your Friend
For the utmost convenience and ease of use, look for a top-quality beard trimmer that is powered by a rechargeable battery. Some models only plug into the mains – that means being tethered to a cord, a cord that gets in the way during use.
A cordless rechargeable trimmer, on the other hand, can simply be plugged into the wall or set on a base to recharge the battery. It’s ready when you are.
Some trimmers feature lithium-ion batteries, which deliver significantly more power and longer life than traditional NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries.
Models which plug directly into the mains with an adapter can sometimes be used while charging. Though the ubiquity of disposable AA batteries makes them convenient for certain devices (flashlights, for example), they’re not well suited to high-drain, motorized tools such as trimmers.
Go with a good rechargeable model – you’ll never look back.
Beard Trimmer Accessories
When it comes down to it, all beard trimmers trim – but some include few or no accessories.
These Spartan grooming tools are designed to take the hair down to a certain length, every time, and nothing else.
Other trimmers include features and accessories which expand your options – like switch-adjustable blade heights, varied widths of detachable blades, and removable guards, which enable the user to vary the length of their facial hair or choose a blade better suited to broad areas of trimming, or precise detail work.
Just make sure you don’t get carried away – a trimmer with 30 attachments and accessories is likelier to sit in a drawer unused than a model with just 5 or 10 well-thought-out extra parts which actually suit all your needs.
Quality and Brand Reputation Matter
…more so than price alone.
There are a number of brand names that call to mind high-quality beard trimmers – Philips Norelco, Braun, Panasonic, Oster, and Wahl beard trimmers – and many of their products have prices that reflect that quality.
An electric trimmer should be seen as a tool, not a throw-away gadget. As such, investing in a model that’s well made, built to last, and repairable (rather than disposable) will bring you greater returns than low-end, inferior machines.
If possible, choose a model with self-sharpening blades. Not all trimmers feature such blades, but if you find one that does – and it’s a good match for you otherwise – consider it, because though such blades don’t last indefinitely, their lifespan is usually greater than that of traditional blades.
If you can’t find a trimmer whose blades self-sharpen, look for a model with a high-quality removable blade, and purchase a spare, so you’re not without a trimmer when it’s time to send the original blade in for sharpening. Find a trimmer that’s comfortable to use.
If you’re going to be using your beard trimmer on a regular basis, your enjoyment (and quite possibly, results) will be maximized by selecting a model which sits comfortably in your hand.
A trimmer that’s too large or heavy will feel cumbersome; one that’s too small, too light, or not ergonomically designed will cause you to grip it too tightly or apply unneeded pressure while trimming.
Furthermore, consider the noise and vibration factors.
All trimmers use electric motors – but there’s a difference between a poorly designed motor and one of high quality.
While some beard trimmers emit an irritating buzzing noise and vibrate strongly in the hand, the best trimmers tend to run more quietly and smoothly. Consider how important this is to you before settling on a trimmer to purchase.
Our Best Rated Trimmers List
We’ve been testing and reviewing lots of different trimmers, and there’s a lot out there. While our competitors bombard you with pointless lists of randomly picked top 10 beard trimmers, we dig deep to bring you just a select few of the top beard trimmers and groomers to choose from.
Check out our list and bag a great deal!