I Researched and Used Over 30 Beard Trimmers to Find the Best One

After two years of near-constant use, this remains my favorite trimmer, thanks to two obvious advantages: (1) a convenient radial dial that lets you easily choose lengths as short 0.5 millimeters (and in 0.5 millimenter increments up from there), which makes it plenty versatile; and (2) avacuum-suctionfeature that collects the majority of your shaven hairs — up to 90 percent of them, according to the company, but who really knows? All I can say is that this is a godsend. No man likeswiping his (or his boyfriend’s) stubble from the sink, and I’m willing to deal with this shaver’s slightly clunky handfeel to reap that reward. Plus, I can now report, its battery and blade holds up to months and months of wear and tear.

The latest release from digital upstart Brio has all the features I liked from their originalBeardscape— a nicely contoured shape, a charging stand that I wish every trimmer had, and aceramicblade, which is supposedly four times harder than stainless steel (though more breakable, too) — but in a smaller, more portable package, which is why it is taking the place of the older model on this list. Using the included guides — those plastic combs that come with most of these — it’s great for men who want shorter beards (from 3 mm to 6 mm) and, on its own, the narrow blade cuts down to 0.5 millimeters, my ideal starting point. It navigates corners and crevices well, though it didsnag a few times on my stubblewhen I tested it, though that’s a small price to pay in exchange for its simplicity, 90-minute battery life (the light around the button changes color when it’s time to charge), and quiet charm.

You might think that the purpose of any beard trimmer is for it to work perfectly, expertly crafting each piece of micro-hair into the same length, but that’s hardly the point when it comes to five o’clock shadow. Messy is in! Still, I appreciated the incredibly sharp, pro-level blade; heavy stainless-steel body; and long-lasting battery (a four-hour charge) that this one offered. If you ignore any of its bonus features and beard guides, this tool is right for men who want an incredibly close, 0.5 millimeter shave without pulling out anelectric foil razoror regularrazor blade. I’ll keep this onein my medicine cabinetfor achieving what’s essentially a clean shave — noshaving creamnecessary — especially since it’s shaped in a way that nicely weaves around lip corners and nose crevices. (Wahl also makes avacuum-suction versionthat feels similarly strong, if a bit more awkward to wield than my No. 1 pick.)

As the kind of tool used in professional settings by barbers and the like for beard trims and edge cleanups, this device, with its heavy-duty detachable cord, has a nice substantial feel to it, an incredibly sharp carbon blade, and a switch that toggles on and off with a pleasing motion (small things matter, especially in the morning). Used alone, or with its set of guides, it’s great for guys who want to tweak and trim all different kinds of beard lengths — from 0.5 millimeters up to 10 millimeters—and I could see it also being useful if you’re the kind of person who wants someone (a partner, a haircutting friend) to give you an actual at-homehaircut.

This one is sort of a wild card. It’s somewhere between a traditional beard trimmer and a regular razor (fittingly, it was named the best electric-cartridge hybrid razor on Strategist’s round-up ofthe best razors for men), and requires a special OneBlade — which isn’t sharp to the touch — that you’re supposed to replace every four months or so. Once you charge the handle and turn on the power, the blade’s rapid movements cut nearly as close as a regular disposable blade, but without any fear of bleeding or ingrown hairs. You can basically drag it all over your face haphazardly to eliminate all your facial hair, or use it to “edge” and “shape” for styles like goatees. Using it does feel slightly strange, like you’re sweeping over your floor with abroomthat doesn’t work as well as avacuum. And the results weren’t themostpristine, so it’s something I’m saving forvacations, when it matters less. The small size, decent battery life, and punchy color make it just right for myDopp kit.

In our article on thebest expert-recommended razors for men, many of the pros said that electric beard trimmers can be the best electric style of shaver if you’ve got very sensitive skin, because a slightly less-close shave may result in less irritation. Paul Langevin of barbershopMildred New Yorktold us about this electric trimmer, which is more or less a cordless version of the Andis style that appears above.

If you’re looking for an electric trimmer you can use in the shower (for easier cleanup), barber Miles Wood Smith recommended this Wahl wet/dry model when we asked him about all the different products you needto trim and maintain a beard.

Whenhe grew a beard, Strategist writer David Notis maintained it using a different model from Philips Norelco, the brand behind our best overall electric trimmer. The style shown here is the newer version of Notis’s electric beard trimmer, which he liked for its affordability. But the lower price comes with a trade-off: This does not have the vacuum-suction feature found in the top-rated model on this list.

For most beards, any of the above electric trimmers will be all you need when it comes to maintenance. But if your beard incorporates a mustache or looks like it could be a prop from theGame of Thronescostume department (and we mean that in the best way), you might need a precision trimmer like this, from our list ofthe best manscaping tools, to ensure no wayward hair is left behind.