I’ve spent years reviewing grooming gadgets, and beard trimmers (along with electric shavers) are among the ones I get the most use out of. Most of the time, I just want to keep my beard tidy and get on with the day – and a trimmer that’s comfortable to hold, with a comb that stays at the right length, makes that considerably easier.
You don’t have to spend a fortune, either. A simple adjustable trimmer is more than enough to get the job done, while paying more might get you finer length settings or attachments that replace a few other tools. With that in mind, I’ve picked five worth considering, along with some advice on getting a decent result at home.
Philips Beard Trimmer 7000 Series
The Philips Beard Trimmer 7000 Series is a good starting point if your beard is the main event. Its adjustable combs cover 0.4mm to 20mm, so there’s room to keep things short or leave a little more growth. You select the length with a dial on the handle, rather than swapping between a dozen individual guards, making for quick, convenient adjustments.
Philips’ BeardSense system also adjusts the power when it encounters denser hair. That should help it work through the thicker growth around your chin, while the combs lift hairs towards the blades for a more even trim.
The version above also has a hair collector. Philips says it catches up to 80 per cent of clippings in its testing – a welcome addition if you’d rather spend less time clearing the basin. Elsewhere, its self-sharpening metal blades don’t need oiling, and the claimed 120-minute runtime should cover plenty of trims between charges.
Remington Barba
The Barba is the one I’d look at if you want to keep the spending down. It has an adjustable comb with nine settings from 1.5mm to 18mm, plus ceramic-coated blades. There’s a small window showing the selected length, so you can check it before you start.
Its age shows in the charging. A full charge takes 16 hours, for up to 40 minutes of cordless use. That’s a long wait, although you can plug it in and carry on if you’ve forgotten to charge it. You also get fewer length adjustments than on the more expensive Philips models. For someone who’s particular about their stubble, those smaller steps may justify spending more. If you’re simply keeping a short beard tidy though, the Barba covers the essentials for considerably less money.
Philips Multigroom 7000 Series
The Multigroom is worth a look if your beard isn’t the only thing that needs attention. The 19-in-1 version includes tools for facial, head, and body hair, with a nose and ear attachment among them. Useful, even if it’s not the most glamorous reason to buy a gadget.
For stubble, the precision comb is the main attraction. It adjusts from 1mm to 3mm in 0.2mm steps, letting you make small changes until you find a length you’re happy with. Other combs extend the range to 20mm, while BeardSense adjusts the power for denser growth.
Elsewhere, Philips quotes up to two hours of runtime, with a five-minute quick charge when you’re in a hurry. It still uses a proprietary connector at the trimmer end, though – the USB charging cable doesn’t mean you can plug your phone’s USB-C cable straight into it.
Manscaped The Beard Hedger
Manscaped’s original Beard Hedger keeps the accessories to a minimum. One adjustable comb covers 20 lengths between 0.5mm and 10mm, selected using the wheel beneath the blade. If you tend to keep the same short beard, there’s very little to organise or lose.
Elsewhere, the cutting head uses a titanium-coated stainless-steel T-blade, and the waterproof body can be rinsed clean afterwards. You get up to an hour of cordless use, plus proper USB-C charging – huzzah! The supplied comb’s 10mm max is worth checking against your usual length. For a fuller beard, the Panasonic below gives you considerably more room without needing to buy another attachment.
Panasonic Multishape
Panasonic’s Multishape is particularly handy if you want to cut down on the number of grooming devices you take away. Different heads fit onto the same powered handle, including a foil shaver, nose trimmer, and toothbrush. You can buy the attachments you need, although they aren’t all included in every kit.
The beard, hair, and body trimmer kit linked is a good starting point. Its cutting range reaches 30mm, making it the most accommodating of these five for a longer beard. There are 58 length settings, along with a washable design and a travel pouch. Also, its lithium-ion handle delivers around 70 minutes of trimming from a one-hour charge.
How do you trim your beard with a beard trimmer?
Wash your beard, let it dry, and comb it through before trimming. Then start with a longer setting and work down gradually. It’s easier to judge what needs removing once the hair is clean and sitting naturally.
For short, even stubble, move the trimmer against the direction of growth so the comb can lift the hairs. With a longer beard, going with the growth removes less at a time, while giving you more control over the shape in the process. Keep checking both sides as you go.
Once you’re happy with the length, tidy the edges. Remove stray hairs above your existing cheek line, and use short, careful movements around the moustache. For the neckline, a point just above the Adam’s apple is a useful starting guide, working outwards beneath the jaw.
It’s also worth stepping back from the mirror before making another adjustment. You can always take a bit more off. It’s not so easy putting it back…
