If you have a beard, then you likely know how valuable it can be to have the right arsenal of beard grooming tools available at hand in your bathroom.
One of the most important must-have tools is a high-quality beard trimmer that gives you good performance to produce an optimal look.
The purpose of a beard trimmer is to tame the beast that is the beard growing in unpredictably on your face.
With the right beard trimmer, you can accomplish any look you like, from burly lumberjack to sophisticated gentleman, or anything in between.
Able to help you with your quick clean up routine in the mornings, or to endeavor a new and ambitious beard style, beard trimmers are a necessity for any man who loves his beard.
Why Use a Beard Trimmer?
This invaluable grooming tool can help you clean up your thick winter beard to look clean cut and respectable, rather than give the impression that you’ve been neglecting personal hygiene for weeks on end.
It can also give you a closer trim that makes you look well-kept without being clean shaven.
The reasons a beard trimmer serves as an irreplaceable tool in your beard grooming kit, however, expand past simple aesthetic purposes.
Here are some benefits of using beard trimmers to consider that go beyond simply keeping your beard groomed:
Flaky Skin: Longer facial hair tends to be more prone to the creation of flaky skin, which can stick to your beard over time as a result. Keeping facial hair trimmed can help limit the flaky skin you experience on your face, which makes this not a problem.
Skin Irritation: The more facial hair you have, or the longer it is, the more vulnerable your face is to skin irritation. While the effects of this can be abated using other cosmetic tools such as beard oils, keeping your hair well-groomed and neatly trimmed is another way to fight this condition.
Bacteria: These bacteria can build up beneath your beard, causing skin conditions and acne. You can fight against this, however, by keeping the hair groomed and neatly trimmed.
The best part? Aside from being immeasurably helpful and versatile, beard trimmers are also incredibly simple to use.
Before we get into how to use your beard trimmer, however, let’s start with the different types of beard trimmers you might encounter on your journey to finding the best one for you.
Types of Beard Trimmers
There are plenty of different beard trimmer options for you to consider on the market, but they are certainly not all made equal.
To find one that can stand against all the challenges you will have to throw at it, and be able to do everything it needs to do to allow you to emerge from your morning grooming routine looking like the epitome of manliness, you’re going to have to do a bit of searching.
But no need to fear – we’ve done the hard work for you. Look at these criteria we’ve compiled to look for in different types of facial hair trimmers.
If you get your selection narrowed down to a type of beard trimmer that works in your favor on all or most of these aspects.
Build Quality: This is definitely an important one to keep an eye on. After all, what’s the use of the best beard trimmer in the world if it breaks after only a few uses?
Try and look for a beard trimmer that is going to dutifully serve you for the long haul. Some qualities to look for that suggest high-quality build and construction include models made from stainless steel, and those that have solid grip control.
These suggest higher tier models, which tend to be able to withstand a bit more of a challenge without cracking under pressure.
Cord or Cordless: This is completely a matter of preference. If you have a conveniently located outlet in your bathroom where you like to conduct your beard grooming routine, then a model that requires a cord might serve you just well – assuming, too, that you don’t mind navigating around the cord while trimming and grooming.
However, if you’re looking for portability and convenience, then wireless models might be more suited to your preferences and lifestyle. However, if that’s your prerogative, be warned – you won’t have the same horsepower or the benefits of infinite juice that you get from models that use cords. At the end of the day, this choice is up to you!
Dry vs. Wet Trimming: Some beard trimmers are designed for dry trimming as opposed to wet trimming, or the other way around. Depending on when you tend to do your trimming in your morning routine, you’ll want to pick the option that best corresponds with your style.
If your grooming routine is versatile, however, and you want a beard trimmer that can keep up with your unpredictability, then there are those models that can switch back and forth between modes.
Length Settings: Do you like your beard long and luxurious, or kept to a short stubble – or anywhere in between? Whatever you are going for, you should make sure that your trimmer has the length options available to cater to your preferences.
A trimmer that comes with a versatility of lengths is the best way to go, so you can switch up your beard style as you like and accomplish any look you’d like.
Versatility: There are extra features you might want to look for in your new beard trimmer. If you’re just looking for a bare bones model, then this might not be much of a concern for you – for some.
However, pop-up ear trimmers, a vacuum system, turbo – trimming modes, and more, are what helps them make the final decision on which model to purchase.
As you can see, there are many different types of beard trimmers out there with different qualities that ultimately impact their performance capabilities. With so many options available on the market, however, the right option for you is out there.
If your beard comb and razor are no longer cutting it – literally – when it comes to beard grooming, start your search for the right beard trimmer for you today!
Choosing the Best Beard Trimmer or Best Cordless Trimmer
By keeping the criteria detailed above in mind, you can make sure to narrow down your selection of the best trimmer for men with ease. To help you make your decision, these are some of the questions you should ask yourself about the models you are considering:
What is it made from? Your beard trimmer should be made of high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, and have a good construction. This helps you to know if it will last for the long haul and if it is a reliable model.
Do I want a cordless model? If you travel a lot, or just want an electric beard trimmer model with high maneuverability, then a cordless model might be the way to go for you. However, if infinite battery and higher horsepower are bigger priorities for you, then a corded alternative may be your ideal option.
When do I do my grooming? If you tend to trim your beard after a shower, then you’d want one intended for wet trimming. However, if you normally trim prior to taking a shower, then one designed for dry trimming will serve you much better.
If you are someone who does their grooming whenever you look in the mirror and realize that the time has come, then one that can switch between modes might be the way to go.
How long do I like my facial hair? Different beard trimmers have different length settings for you to choose between, so depending on how you like to style your beard, whether that be short and neatly trimmed or a well-kept lumberjack look, you’ll want to make sure your facial hair trimmer is conducive to those needs.
Do I care about extra features? Many beard trimmers come with extra attachments and features, as detailed above.
If you think these features might be important to you, whether now or at some point in the future, then you may want to purchase a model that either comes with such attachments and features, or is compatible with them.
However, if you’re just a simple man and aren’t looking for anything too fancy, then don’t let beard trimmer accessories/attachments be a deciding factor!
As long as you address these questions in your search for the ideal beard trimmer for your needs, then you will end up with the best case trimmer in no time at all!
Using a Professional Beard Trimmer
Using a professional beard trimmer may look like an intimidating or daunting task, but rest assured, it’s not as difficult as one might thing. In fact, it’s actually quite simple. Let us help you out by walking you through the process.
Before you get started, you should review the manual that came when your model to learn how to turn it on and off, operate the settings, and any other useful information when it comes to using your new beard trimmer.
Familiarize yourself with the different parts of the trimmer, too, before you begin.
When it comes to knowing how the navigate your beard trimmer when it comes to many different types of facial hair, we’ve got your back.
How to Trim a Beard
When it comes to knowing how to trim a beard, the first step to take is to decide the beard length that you ideally prefer.
If you like to have the classic look of a fuller beard with a fade going down your face, then it’s ideal to have a powerful trimmer with 3 guard settings.
However, you can accomplish a shorter, cropped look or a sexy 5 o’clock shadow with a simple trimmer.
Next, some trimmers require oil to work properly. If yours falls into this category, drop a little oil over the blades and get it running.
Make sure that you brush off any excess hair that might be in the blades before you begin. Once the oil has saturated the blades, wipe them down, making sure the blades are dry on top so your hair doesn’t stick.
Now, it’s time to begin trimming. It’s a good idea to start long and finish short, depending on your final goal length, to avoid irritating your skin.
In addition, starting with a higher guard and working your way down is also strategic, because you can always trim more, but there’s no going back if you go shorter than you intended.
Trim over your entire beard, making sure to shave upwards and against the grain. If the flat part of the comb is laid against your face, you will get the best results. Don’t forget your neck, either, while trimming!
Switch to a lower guard as needed and repeat the process until you’ve reached a beard length you are satisfied with.
Finally, clean up any stray hairs left behind for the perfect finishing touch. Don’t forget below your Adam’s apple
How to Trim a Mustache
Trimming your carefully grown mustache is a delicate feat to make sure it exudes just the right balance of manliness and sophistication that you are looking for.
One thing to keep in mind while grooming your mustache is not to cut it too short because the hair tends to become a bit shorter after you wash it next and it dries.
Start out by combing your mustache down in the direction the hair grows until it looks as tidy as it can, then define your upper lip by trimming the ends.
The goal is only to trim enough to clear your lip without going much higher up. You’ll want to use a precision blade for this if your trimmer came with one for more accuracy. If not, just use the narrowest blade you have.
Next, use your comb to lift a small portion of hair through the teeth of the comb.
Trim this with your trimmer, working to the ends on one side and repeating the process in the other direction. Once you have finished this, check in the mirror to ensure both sides are even.
Your mustache should look better groomed now, but there’s still some finishing touches to tend to.
Use the trimmer to shave the top and sides of your mustache, only cutting a small bit at a time to prevent any mistakes. This is also where you can decide on the mustache angle you want to pursue.
Finally, comb through your mustache, taking sure to catch any longer hairs that were overlooked in your meticulous grooming process.
Then, style as you would use your normal products, and you are ready to show off your mustache to the world!
How to Trim a Goatee
If you have a goatee you are trying to maintain, or if you are trying to groom yourself one to begin with, then it’s best to have a trimmer with many different guards and trimmer heads.
You need something that gives you the ability to swap out a standard trimmer head with a smaller set of blades that give you more accuracy and precision.
You’ll want to start by deciding on the style of goatee you want if you aren’t simply maintaining one you’ve already grown.
Allow your beard to grow out to the appropriate length you are going for, and then it’s time to start grooming and styling.
Use your trimmer to shave the outline of the style you have chosen. This is a good starting point because it gives you a good guideline to follow during the rest of the grooming process.
Start from your neck and work your way around the chin and up the cheeks until you have marked the basic outline.
It’s always better to make your goatee bigger than you think you might want it than smaller, because you can always go back and fix it with touch ups later, but as we’ve warned before, a stroke of the razor cannot be taken back.
Next shape the edges of your goatee to accomplish the size and shape you want using your trimmer.
Use a comb to straighten out any curled hair, which makes your goatee easier to trim and will give you a more realistic sense of the length you are cutting it to.
From clean, sharp corners at your jawline and get the right width – a good guideline is usually the same width as your mouth.
If you smile, your dimples are probably a good place for the edges of your goatee to land.
The most important thing, however, is to make sure both sides are symmetrical. While grooming, make sure to stop every couple of minutes and ensure things look even.
Finally, when it comes to maintaining your goatee, you are going to want to trim it regularly to maintain the trademark clean edges goatees are known for. It’s quite the commitment, but it’s a good idea to shave your goatee’s edges every day.
Top 5 Beard Trimmer Reviews
Now that you have all the information on what to look for in a quality beard trimmer and how to use one effectively.
If you don’t already have a trusty beard trimmer as part of your beard grooming kit, it’s time to narrow down your selection to pick the one that is best for you.
We’ve made a list of the top 5 beard trimmers on the market to help make your search a little easier, so read up on the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you make an informed decision.
Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer 9100
This beard trimmer is simply incredible. The 21st century has brought us far – how far, you ask? Well, we now have what’s essentially a laser beard trimmer.
While the Philips Norelco doesn’t actually use lasers to burn your beard into a neat style, but the pop-up laser guide it features marks exactly where you need to trim.
The result? No one will dare tell you your beard is uneven ever again.
This laser features an incredible 17 length settings to shift between.
An LED display tells you the setting the trimmer is on, and you can lock in on that setting while trimming to prevent any variation in length.
Constructed using chromium steel self-sharpening blades that never require any form of maintenance, the blades feature nicely-rounded tips that won’t irritate your skin regardless of how close you are trimming your facial hair.
This cordless model is exceptionally easy to clean, with just a quick rinse under the faucet being all it takes to wash away the hair inside.
That, paired with the precision and accuracy the 17 length settings provide, make it easier than ever to get the exact style you want, and create clean, straight lines.
You can enjoy the versatility of this cordless model for an hour on a full charge, which takes an hour to obtain. It also comes with a beard comb and a detail comb.
While the price may be a bit exorbitant, many users think it’s worth the expense for a lightweight model at only 1 pound that feels good in your hand and comes with a two-year warranty – not to mention its superb performance capabilities.
Philips Norelco 9100
PROS
- Versatile Length Settings: There is a plentiful array of length settings to choose from with this gem, making it a great option for those who value accuracy and precision.
- Quality Construction: This model is clearly one that was designed with longevity in mind—you can tell by just looking at it. Paired with its two-year warranty, you can rest assured that this model will serve you for the long haul.
- Laser: This is a truly unique quality in a beard trimmer, and one that we have not found in any of the other models we reviewed. It’s an interesting experience all its own to use, completely transforming the grooming experience and making it easier and more precise than ever.
However, nothing is perfect. Here are some things to keep in mind before purchasing the Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer 9100.
CONS
- Cost: One of the more expensive options on the market, but the features and performance of this model certainly justify the price.
- Guard Fills Quickly: The guard tends to fill with hair very quickly, especially if you have a very thick beard. However, a quick tap will get most of the hair out of the guard and you can continue trimming as usual.
We definitely think this is one of the best trimmers on the market to purchase.
Based on the information here, if it sounds like the type of beard trimmer that would be the perfect complement to your current beard grooming tools, then give it a try today!
Wahl Lithium Ion All-In-One Grooming Kit
Rated on Amazon as a #1 new release, this product from Wahl is certainly a noteworthy addition to any man’s arsenal of beard grooming tools.
It provides the ultimate power in trimming your beard to exactly the style you covet. It’s one of the most powerful trimmers we’ve come across, as it sports a motor providing double the average torque of a beard trimmer.
Even if you don’t have the heavy, thick growth that calls for such a high-powered trimmer, this will allow you to zip through your trim easily without having to go over the same area multiple times.
This model comes with a wide array of attachments for users to switch between during their grooming routine to accomplish precisely the look they are looking for. These attachments include:
- Trimmer Blade
- Dual Shaver
- Precision Detailer
- Stubble Guide
- Medium Guide
- Full Guide
- 6 Position Guide
- 1/8” T-Blade Guide
- 1/4” T-Blade Guide
- 3/8” T-Blade Guide
- Beard Comb
- Blade Brush and Oil
This 1-pound, wireless unit comes with a handy storage case to keep all these accessories neatly organized in one place.
The model takes 60 minutes to achieve a full charge that will last you a staggering 2 hours, which is one of the best of almost any other trimmer on the market.
The carbon stainless steel blades help to groom your beard precisely how you like it.
The unit is not waterproof, which makes it difficult to clean as it cannot be washed under the faucet.
The plastic pieces are also not very sturdy, so tapping it on a hard surface to dislodge some of the hair may result in the attachment breaking.
Fortunately, this unit comes with a 5-year limited warranty that covers such breakage in that period. Still, you may prefer to continue your search for a unit that won’t break in the first place.
This model’s 3 x 5.5 x 10 inch dimensions feel good in your hand and it accomplishes a good trim, so long as you are satisfied with the six length settings it comes with.
While other models come with far more length settings, the 6 on Wahl’s model are enough for many. At half the cost of other options on the market, this model is certainly a good choice for those shopping on a budget.
Wahl Lithium Ion All-In-One
PROS
- A variety of Attachments: This model comes with a lot of attachments to switch between, making it easy to get exactly what you were looking for.
- Long Battery Life: At 3 hours, this beard trimmer has a longer-lasting battery life than any other cordless trimmer we have reviewed. If that’s something that’s a priority for you, then this trimmer is definitely one to consider.
- 5 Year Warranty: This is a longer warranty than most trimmers come with, making it a good candidate for those wanting to ensure that their beard trimmer is going to hold up against the test of time.
CONS
- Lacks Precision: While this is certainly a top-notch product, not everything is perfect about this model. It doesn’t provide the same trimming detail as many other options around, so if you need something with a lot of accuracies, this might not be the best beard and mustache trimmer for you.
- Breakable Blades: The plastic part of the blades have been known to break with little impact, so you must be gentle while using it if you want it to last long-term.
- Not Waterproof: The fact that this model is not waterproof makes it extremely difficult for users to clean it afterward.
- Only 6 Length Settings: To many men, 6 length settings may be more than enough, but just as many men are looking for more versatile options from their beard trimmer. If you want more than 6 length options from your beard trimmer, then the search continues.
Overall, this is a trimmer that is a great asset to a man’s collection of grooming tools, but it does have some drawbacks that put it out of the running for men that need more length from their beards.
Consider both the advantages and the drawbacks, and if in your case, the benefits are greater, then give the Wahl Lithium Ion All-In-One Grooming Kit a try today!
Panasonic ER-GB40-S 19 Precision Hair and Beard Trimmer
If you are in search of perfection and accuracy, then the Panasonic ER-GB40-S 19 Precision Hair and Beard Trimmer just might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
With 19 individual hair length settings to navigate between, you’re able to achieve precisely the cut you wanted.
Panasonic’s stainless steel, hypoallergenic blades are angled at 45 degrees, which is supposedly the best angle to tackle longer, stubborn hairs that just don’t want to part with your face.
This trimmer’s best strength is likely trimming hair down to stubble, and isn’t the best option on the market at whisking away longer whiskers.
While this unit is certainly worthwhile to consider, there are a couple of drawbacks that really hold back a lot of users.
The battery can take over half a day to get a complete charge, and the unit will only be powered for 50 minutes on a full charge before you need to return it to the charger.
This wireless model is very demanding when it comes to how often it needs to be oiled, but this is almost compensated for by the incredible drainage system that prevents the buildup of water from using the unit in the shower with shaving foam. A simple rinse under the faucet cleans it as good as new.
The rubber grip makes it easy to hold in your hand, a particular advantage if you are intending to use this 1-pound model in the shower.
With a two-year limited warranty, you can trust that this model will last you awhile. It comes with three combs as attachments to give you plenty of versatility – not bad for this modestly priced model.
Panasonic ER-GB40-S 19
PROS
- Angled Blades: The 45-degree angle of these blades has been said to be the best angle for trimming hair at to achieve the cleanest look.
- Rubber Grip: This model features a rubber grip that makes it easy to hold, even at the most challenging of angles.
- Cost: This modestly priced model is ideal for anyone in search of a model that performs well and gets the job done in a smaller price range.
CONS
- Short Battery Life: If you want to use your trimmer for long stretches of time without having to charge it, then this is not the model for you. A full charge takes half a day to accomplish, and only lasts 50 minutes.
- Needs to be Oiled Often: Many people may not mind this drawback too much, but stopping the trimming process frequently to apply more oil to the trimmer can quickly become frustrating for many users.
This is a high-quality beard trimmer that performs well and gets the job done adequately. However, it does have a few drawbacks to consider, so if you’re holding out for perfection, then the search continues!
Remington PG6025 All-in-1 Lithium Powered Grooming Kit, Trimmer
This Amazon best seller is an incredible product in an unbeatable price range. The surgical steel blades are designed for long-lasting durability, and it comes with 8 attachments to complement its performance and conform to any grooming need you may have. The attachments it includes are as follows:
- Full-size trimmer
- Nose, ear and detail trimmer
- Foil shaver
- 3 beard and stubble combs
- Hair clipper with 8 length settings
While the 8 length settings aren’t quite as many as some of the other beard trimmers we have reviewed, it is enough for many users who aren’t looking for anything too fancy in their beard styling endeavors.
This cordless unit can run for 50 minutes after a 4-hour charging time.
This the unit is also waterproof, allowing for easy cleaning.
The textured grip and only 1-pound weight makes it easy to hold firmly in your hand at any angle you need to achieve the perfect trim and look.
With a two-year limited warranty, the device is protected from most accidents out of your control.
Remington PG6025 All-in-1
PROS
- Unbeatable Price: This is one of the cheapest models we have reviewed, making it the best option for those in search of a basic model that will work without ringing up a high price tag.
- Textured Grip: The textured grip on this product makes it easy to get a good grasp on and keep firmly within your hand when tackling tough angles.
- Plenty of Attachments: This model has plenty of attachments for you to choose between to style your beard to the ultimate level of manliness.
CONS
- Limited Length Settings: The 8 length settings on this model don’t give you a lot to choose from, which as a result can really limit the styles of beard styles you are able to achieve and inhibit your grooming ability. Depending on the type of beard you like to sport, this model simply may not be up to the challenge.
- Short Battery Life: 50 minutes is not an incredibly long charging time, so if you are someone who wants to be able to use your trimmer for a long time without having to reconnect it to the charging port and wait, then this is something for you to consider. It also takes 4 hours to get a full charge, which can be a long time for many.
There are a lot of good things to say about this model. Although it does come with a few drawbacks, it also comes at a more than fair price.
For this in search of a simple, bare bones model that works well and gets the job done, this just might be the ideal beard trimmer for you.
TRYM II Rechargeable Modern Hair Clipper Kit
Okay, the sleek and modern look of this model is unbeatable.
If you’re shopping based on looks alone, then you need not look any further – this is the one. However, looks aside, it’s performance isn’t too shabby either.
This is another wireless model that lasts for about an hour of use after an 8-hour charge – definitely one of the longest charging time of any of the beard trimmers we have reviewed.
The professional-grade metal blades trim excellently, and the model comes with 4 trimming attachments, a cleaning brush, and oil. With only 4 trimming lengths available, however, this is a huge drawback for many men.
The unit comes with a one year warranty, and it’s waterproof to allow for easy use and cleaning.
To make it even easier to clean, however, it comes equipped with a handy cleaning brush to wipe away those stubborn stray hairs clinging to the blades.
Although it’s an average weight for a beard trimmer at only one pound, the sleek design doesn’t give it as good of a grip and its design doesn’t fit as well in your hand as other models we have reviewed.
This is clearly a result of the modern design, but it can make the trimming and grooming process inconvenient when it’s difficult to hold at tricky angles.
TRYM II
PROS
- Aesthetic Appeal: Honestly, this must be stated. This product’s look is reminiscent of an apple product – designed to groom your face to perfection. What more could you want?
- Gets the Job Done: Although this model doesn’t come with a lot of length settings or offer anything particularly groundbreaking in terms of performance, we must say – it does get the job done well.
CONS
- Awkward in Your Hand: While the slim and sleep design is pleasing to the eye, it’s not nearly as nice when you’re struggling to get just the right angle to trim your beard properly.
- Only 4 Length Settings: The four length settings for your trimming needs, this model really can’t measure up to the accuracy, precision, and versatility of the other models we have reviewed. This is the lowest number of length settings of any of the trimmers we’ve reviewed, so if that’s a priority for you, then the search continues!
- Long Charging Time: 8 hours is the longest charging time we saw on any of the models we reviewed, and that can quickly get quite annoying if you’re trying to give yourself a quick trim on the way out to work and forgot to plug the device in before going to bed.
This is an extremely popular beard trimmer on Amazon, and in an affordable price range too, so we figured we’d give it a go – and, as it turns out, looks aren’t everything.
However, there are plenty of good things to be said about this trimmer. If the good outweighs the bad for you, then try it out today!
The Verdict
We know that it can be difficult to narrow down your search to the world’s finest trimmer, but with these tips and information in mind, the most challenging part of the process should be behind you.
You have everything you need to know to choose your perfect beard trimming kit.
Now all that’s left to do is to slather on some beard balm to style your beard to perfection, and show off your sexy beard to the world!
Photos from: victorvice / depositphotos.com, belchonock / depositphotos.com, kolesnikovserg / depositphotos.com, dlpn / depositphotos.com, jaycriss / depositphotos.com
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