Tested Best 3 Beard Trimmers for Precision and Performance. Regardless of density, you must have the best beard trimmer if you want your facial hair to grow to its utmost potential. I tested eight top models from the game’s major players (the Panasonic, the Brauns, and so on). And, while they’re all good options, there may be only one winner: the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000. My pick for the best value is the Hatteker 5-in-1 Trimmer. (You can read my full reviews of the Philips Norelco and Hatteker models here.)
If you want to tame or maintain any size beard, you’ll need one of the best beard trimmers… [+] available on the market.This grooming tool is vital for navigating changing preferences as you switch between different lengths and styles, and it should have enough muscle to last a long time on a single charge while mowing through the thickest sections of your scruff. It should also have strong guards that allow easy adjustment (since anything too flimsy would leave you with an unpleasant, uneven finish). The best beard trimmer will be intuitive, making routine cleanups quick and simple for the next few years. Here are the winners of my rigorous testing:
- Best Beard Trimmer Overall: Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000
- Best Value Beard Trimmer: Hatteker 5-In-1 Trimmer
- Best Luxury Beard Trimmer: Panasonic MultiShape
1. Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000
$75$87Save $12 (14%)
Functions: Beard trimmer, hair clipper, electric shaver, detailer, body trimmer, nose trimmer | Trimming lengths: 0.5mm-16mm | Tested charge time: 3 hours | Tested runtime: 8 hours | Tested 3-minute quick-charge runtime: 7.5 minutes | Waterproof: Removable, rinsable heads and fully washable core | Upkeep: Self-sharpening blades | Warranty: 10 years
Best for:
- Longevity, with as much as eight hours of runtime
- Endurance, as mine is still as powerful as new after 3.5 years of use
- Customization with truly useful detailing attachments
Skip if:
- You want incremental trimming micro adjustments above 7mm–it only offers 9mm, 12mm and 16mm
To be clear, this was not a test drive of the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 for me. This was more about comparing it to the other products and seeing whether they could dethrone my long-time favorite. Except for the inexperienced users, most of us know what we want in a trimmer and can tidy ourselves up in a flash, providing the device fits a basic set of requirements. The Multigroom 9000 meets those requirements, and it does so with tremendous muscle and incredible battery life. (The brand claims a 6-hour runtime, but I clocked exactly 8 hours and 2 minutes on my 3.5-year-old unit, with consistent power throughout.)
I’ve been using the Philips Multigroom 9000 for years, and when compared to similar products, it still… [+] outperforms the competition, and it does so with significant muscle and long battery life.
Forbes Contributor Adam Hurly
The major thing that appeals to me about this tool is its option of small precision-detailing heads, one of which is a very thin trimmer and the other an electric shaver. The former makes it so easy to zap errant hairs that sprout high up on the face or even strays that refuse to be tamed, but I usually use it to clean up the region around my mustache without worrying about over-trimming. It targets individual hairs for really exact cleanups. And the shaver is also pretty little, so once I’ve tidied up my beard line or mustache boundary, I can use the shaver to keep it skin-level without compromising the surrounding hairs.
I can use the precision-detailing shaver on sections of my face without having to compromise the… [+] around the hairs.
There’s also a decent wide-head electric shaver attachment for speedier cleanups, which I like but have stopped using in favor of tools specific to this category. I wouldn’t use this device as a full-fledged electric shaver, but that’s not to say it’s bad. Above all, I think it’s a great beard trimmer and a reasonable body trimmer—and while it has the muscle to be an excellent hair clipper, I don’t think most guys would rely on it for that. (It includes two angled guards for tapering or fading the sides of the head; you’ll rarely use these.) You will, however, appreciate the clean lines drawn with the T-blade attachment and the nose, ear, and eyebrow-zapping abilities of that corresponding head.
Whenever I travel, I know this one will maintain its power throughout, even if the trip is a long month. I throw in the shaver and detailer heads, along with my preferred guards (typically 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm to 7mm), and leave the charger and other heads at home.
The staggered trimming options on the Multigroom 9000 will satisfy 95% of users. Sure, other devices don’t have every millimeter interval, but it’s just an issue above 7mm. A different guard head is required for 1mm and 2mm clips, and it has an adjustable head for 3mm to 7mm clips. It then progresses to individual heads for 9mm, 12mm, and 16mm, skipping the intervals in between.
My partner and I have continued to use the Multigroom 9000 over the past three months, including on a month-long trip. Despite being used thrice weekly by both of us, the tool still worked at full power when we returned—not surprising given its large battery life. This assurance is a major reason the device is exceptional in its sector.
I also used the device to tidy up my back for our beach days (while holding his hand) because we just wanted to pack one device for all of our purposes. While I have a dedicated back trimmer at home, the Multigroom 9000 delivered on its head-to-toe promises, cleaning me up with no visible stubble, no redness or nicks, and plenty of juice to spare (hey, it’s not a forest back there, but it can take a good 5 minutes with all the up-close spot checking required). During my month of testing the best electric razors, I also utilized the naked guard several times when my stubble grew too long for a proper shave down (which happened a few times). Mostly, the Philips Norelco was a great first-pass cleanup of my beard before I needed to use the electric shaver candidates to shave everything else down to a stubble.
Unfortunately, I misplaced the tiny detailing trimmer head that I adored (and that drew me to this device so much). I’ve requested a replacement, but in the meantime, it’s allowed me to become even more acquainted with the other two products that topped my test drive.
2. Hatteker 5-In-1 Trimmer
$30
Functions: Beard trimmer, hair clipper, electric shaver, detailer, body hair trimmer, nose trimmer | Trimming lengths: 0.8mm-15mm | Tested charge time: 1 hour | Tested runtime: 97 minutes | Tested 3-minute quick-charge runtime: 5 minutes | Waterproof: Removable, rinsable heads, fully washable core | Upkeep: Oil lubricant, self-sharpening blades | Warranty: 1 year
Best for:
- An impressive 1.6-to-1 runtime to charge time ratio
- Micro adjustments thanks to a 1mm-10mm graduated dial head (at half-millimeter increments)
- LED display that clearly indicates remaining battery life
Skip if:
- You want a long-term investment, as the body’s material is lacking in quality
I almost didn’t include the Hatteker 5-in-1 Trimmer in the running for this roundup, possibly because I dismissed the brand as a low-cost internet craze that couldn’t compete with the major names. (It’s popular on Amazon, but unlike the other brands listed, I’ve never seen it in the field.) This is why I was pleasantly surprised by this trimmer, which hits the perfect combination of price, performance, and usefulness. I can see why so many people rate it favorably.
Above all, it cuts powerfully and offers an excellent selection of guard heads, including an incremental 1mm to 10mm dial head for quick and easy changes. Its T-blade head creates clean lines, its plastic guard heads are considerably stronger than I’d expect from a low-cost device, and its detailer (albeit somewhat wider than I’d prefer) is effective at fine-tuning features around my mustache.
The Hatteker 5-in-1 Trimmer hits the ideal blend of price, performance, and functionality.
However, the tool’s shaver attachment is too large unless you intend to use it as a full-fledged electric shaver (which I wouldn’t recommend because it isn’t precise enough). Smaller heads of this type on these devices (like the Philips Multigroom 9000s) work better as a detailer than a shaver. (I prefer to have a full-fledged electric razor separate from the trimmer for those purposes, with one exception being the Panasonic MultiShape tested for this article, which expertly combines both functions into a single device.) As for this Hatteker tool, I’m focused on its beard-trimming capabilities, so I’m reviewing it favorably.
While an LED display isn’t the first thing I thought I needed in a trimmer, I now wish more devices had one. It’s great to see how much time is left on my charge or to predict how much time is needed to complete a charging session (albeit this one displays in 5-minute intervals). Most devices, if anything, rely on a blinking light to indicate power and depletion. There are other reasons to buy this device, but it’s a nice bonus.
While there are a few strikes against the device’s quality, they don’t interfere with the task (at least not right out of the box and after a month of use). Regarding cost, customization, and performance, the Hatteker tool outperforms the others I tested. After I got past my initial shock, I had no hesitation in calling it the best-value beard trimmer here.
I recently hosted a friend, and he got to look through my obscene pile of grooming products and tools. “Oh, this is the one that my brother and I use,” he stated of the Hatteker trimmer. “He told me to buy it, and I was sure it would break in the first year, but it’s still great after about two years,” I thought.
In the absence of my Philips Norelco detailing head, I’ve had to rely on the Hatteker detailer a handful of times over the past few months; it’s absolutely adequate, but its substantially wider head reminds me that it’s it needs to be the Multigroom 9000 My premium pick, the Panasonic MultiShape body groomer, is wider, but I derive delight from finding a new application: maintaining my chest hair and removing back hair. I don’t want to use something other than the Hatteker while the Philips Norelco and Panasonic trimmers are around. Plus, I’ll bring the tools with the longest battery life since I’ve been on the road for two of the last three months. The chargers for the other two devices do not need to be packed, but the Hattekers do. So, while it still shocked me as the best value pick—as it did my friend, who is still going strong with his identical trimmer after nearly two years—Hatteker is always a bridesmaid in this picture for me. I promise to rely on it more in the coming months to give it another chance to shock me.
3. Panasonic MultiShape
$85and up
Functions: Beard trimmer, hair clipper, electric shaver, nose trimmer, toothbrush | Trimming lengths: 0.5mm-30mm | Tested charge time (Li-Ion): 1 hour | Tested runtime: 3 hours | Tested 3-minute quick-charge runtime: 20 minutes | Waterproof: Removable, rinsable heads, fully washable core | Upkeep: Oil lubricant | Warranty: 2 years
Best for:
- An impressive 3-to-1 runtime to charge time ratio
- Intuitive, simple use, with buyers able to choose the attachments they want
- Half-millimeter micro adjustments allowing for 0.5mm-30mm trimming
Skip if:
- You want a device that can handle the finer details
Another device that came close to taking the top spot is the Panasonic MultiShape. Its robust guard heads won’t shatter or bend as it navigates your face (or body, as it’s also a body groomer). Its ease of usage is particularly noteworthy, even while allowing many guard heads. Every item has a specific purpose; you can opt in to only the portions you desire rather than paying for everything. Its long battery life outperforms marketing claims, and its ultra-precise trimming lengths give you the most detailed options: It has two guard heads in various widths, one offering 0.5mm to 20mm in half-millimeter increments, and the other 0.5mm to 30mm with the same spacing. Furthermore, its electric shaving head may compete with specialist shavers on the market.
The Panasonic MultiShape can be configured to include the attachments you require.
Forbes contributor Adam Hurly
Again, I love that users may buy only the attachments they require with this one rather than being trapped with a bunch of extra plastic they’ll never use. (While there are two battery bases to choose from, I strongly recommend the lithium-ion for its 1-hour charge time, 3-hour runtime (on my test drive), and outstanding 20-minute quick charge on 3 minutes of juice.)
However, there are three major reasons why the Panasonic MultiShape did not grab the top spot: first, the price, which is presently as much as $225 depending on whatever features you choose, compared to $75 for the Multigroom 9000. Following that, the Multigroom 9000 is the best in terms of battery life and detailing;. At the same time, the Panasonic MultiShape can compete with an impressive lithium-ion battery on the former, its options for the latter are essentially nonexistent (because that nose trimmer isn’t anyone’s preferred choice for snipping at strays and finessing the mustache). I hope Panasonic intends to provide the detailing head options that Philips Norelco now offers, particularly a tiny snipping head and a compact e-shaver.
Over the past few months of use, the Panasonic MultiShape has grown on me—not that I didn’t love it from day one. When it comes to the best new grooming products or recommending products to friends and readers, I mostly talk about it. And, now that I’ve lost that Philips Norelco detailing head, I’ve made a lot more room for the MultiShape—hey, maybe they can add a narrow-toothed detailing head to their add-on options and destroy the competition.
I had just arrived home from another month on the road, nearly two months after losing the Philips Norelco head, so I had packed the Panasonic model instead. This wonderful top-tier product combines durability, sleekness, and practical design. The clean results also speak for themselves. I haven’t put it through an accidental drop test, but I’m confident it could withstand a fall from the sink ledge to the tiled floor, and its guard attachments wouldn’t crack (which has frequently been a complaint of mine with different trimmer trimmers; if your go-to attachment comb breaks in the corner, it’s like the entire thing is kaput). It’s also easier to transport along than the Multigroom 9000 because I only require a single trimming guard head for all my trimming needs (or I remove it during use for a bare-tooth trim).
Since losing that tiny attachment head from my winning pick, I’ve found myself more frequently deploying Panasonic’s MultiShape for my trimming needs, along with its body groomer for those under-nose detailing needs (because the tool trims clean horizontal lines while allowing me full-view of the process—so I don’t over trim the perimeter of my mustache).
Other Beard Trimmers I Tested
Five of the eight models I tested did not cut. They’re all great for different reasons, which is why they’re in the running. But here’s why they didn’t accept the award.
Andis Slimline Pro: This is the device of choice for celebrity groomer Melissa DeZarate, one of my most trusted specialists. And I understand why she uses it to get A-list stars ready for the red carpet: it has the muscle for the 2.5-hour run (on an equal charge), has incredibly solid guard heads, and draws excellent lines with its fixed T-blade. It has an 8.5-minute rapid charge (on 3 minutes of juice), sufficient for a quick tidy. But the competition was stiff, and it couldn’t compete with the Multigroom 9000’s greater choice of options and 8-hour runtime. Still, this one is a keeper.
Bevel Pro: I’m glad Bevel finally gave us a trimmer with adjustable lengths because its earlier options were limited. This one is a hair clipper and a beard trimmer and while it has considerable muscle and is the best-looking device you can possess, I believe it lacks the detailing options needed in a single device (at least in terms of winning the top prize in this race). Professional barbers, on the other hand, I wholeheartedly suggest it.
Wahl Groomsman: At $25, this is a great device for folks who wish to trim their hair on a bare clip—and I love that it also includes a stand-alone nose trimmer. However, the Groomsman’s guard heads are flimsy and difficult to fasten. As a result, some cleanups were unequal. While 70 minutes is a fair run time for such a low-cost tool, the Ni-Cd battery doesn’t carry a lot of juice and takes 8 hours to charge. On the plus side, it trims when plugged in.
Braun BT3221 20-Setting Trimmer: Despite its premium price, I had great expectations for this trimmer. And, while I love its easy-to-navigate 20-dial head (which provides far more options than most entry-level options), in terms of power, it simply cannot compete. You can tell the difference compared to the others on this list, including the Wahl above. Its Ni-MH battery takes an incredible 10 hours to charge and only holds a functional clip for 30 minutes (plus another ten on a highly damaged motor). There is no rapid charge and no plugged-in use. It would be best if you always left it charged.
Remington Vacuum Beard And Stubble Trimmer 6000: I was a vacuum trimmer evangelist, but they’re becoming extinct. Remington’s is one of the last of its kind, and while I love the ease of cleanup and intuitive dial head, that same plastic top isn’t robust enough for an even clip. I’d recommend it for anyone with perma-stubble or sparse beards that can be trimmed gently.
How I Tested The Best Beard Trimmers
It was important for me to include a best seller from each of the largest names in the beard game, and I wanted a variety of options that covered both low-cost purchases and larger investments. Here are the important factors I looked for while testing myself and my boyfriend (who assisted in doubling the effort):
I tested eight top-rated products for the best beard trimmer on the market… [+] of months.
Forbes Contributor Adam Hurly
Power: Does the device feel robust in its task and maintain its grit throughout the run? We began with grown-out beards (a couple of months’ worth, trimmed cosmetically along the way) and first tested each device’s mowing power on lengthier settings. We accomplished this by trimming the hair slightly shorter each time, going downward every couple of days, so we didn’t have to start over and grow for months on end with each test. Also We could gauge the muscle behind each device when we tested them on shorter and stubble-length settings.
Ease of use: Does the beard trimmer do its job in a single pass, and is it intuitive for users, even while changing guard heads or attachments? We replaced the head and guard on each device, noting if it came apart easily or seemed brittle. I also considered if we needed to study the handbook for any of these devices because (in theory) it should be navigable right away.
Customizability: Can this device produce numerous styles, such as clean lines, fine-tuned spot-checking, and varying lengths? The presence of detailing guards or heads on a device does not necessarily imply that it functions well with all of them. All detailing heads were tested, including shavers, wide-set T-line heads, and narrow-set snippers. Fortunately, we have different facial hair styles: he keeps his mustache bushy and curtain-like over his upper lip and wears shorter stubble everywhere else. I clean up the wrinkles on my cheeks, manicure the edges of my mustache, and snip bridge between my mustache and beard. As a result, we could test a wide range of detailing requirements from all heads.
Convenience includes portability, ease of cleaning and maintenance, charge time, and power retention. Put, does this device make things easy every step of the way? Can you gain enough power from a 3-minute quick charge for a single cleanup if the battery is dead? After depleting the battery, I tested the 3-minute charge on each device, then plugged it back in until each indication indicated a full battery (while timing it). The next day, I put the devices through a complete battery test, running them down to zero and timing the effort—my apartment sounded like a hornet’s nest. (A hot tip I learned: On devices with removable heads, you can remove them while running down the battery, and it hums quietly instead of sounding like an angry bee.) And, in terms of cleaning, how simple is it to rinse each tool without brushing out wayward clippings? Not all of the trimmers I tested are waterproof (and several aren’t even printable), which should be the minimum standard for consumer trimmers.
How To Pick A Beard Trimmer
To provide some advice on choosing the best beard trimmer for you, I consulted two trusted experts in the beard and barber shop worlds: Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand (makers of fantastic beard oils, balms, and such), and Steve Purcell, cofounder of Uppercut Deluxe grooming. What they had to say about the following variables is as follows.
Cost
Bandholz advises not to make your decision based solely on the price. Rather, you should understand why a device costs what it does. “Does it have limited features but is costly?” If that’s the case, you can expect it to perform like a tank. Alternatively, if it has many features and the price is comparable to other less-featured trimmers, you might expect dependability concerns,” he says.
Purcell claims you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to have a good tool but frequently get what you pay for if you choose to cut corners. “If you only pay $30 for a trimmer, I’d keep your expectations low,” he says, “but I’m sure it’ll get the job done a few times.” “However, if you intend to keep the trimmer for a long time and use it frequently, I’d go a little further.”
Core Functionality Vs. Multitasking
Both experts agree that core functionality is the most important factor. Still, they add that this is especially important for barbers (who should have an armory of top devices in each category rather than one device that does everything reasonably well). Bandholz, on the other hand, believes that the average home user should put more attention on multitasking because a strong all-around product will cover every potential basis for a tailored beard style. However, the basic purpose of beard trimming remains critical: “If you bought a trimmer to clean up the beard and it struggles to get through that, there is no real point having it,” Purcell explains.
Convenience
It’s one thing to point out how effectively the device performs during the trimming process, but how does it make your life easier? This is what Bandholz believes is important. “Can I take the trimmer on a 2-week vacation and not charge it the entire time?” “That’s valuable because it eliminates the hassle of packing charging cords,” he says. “Does it have enough guards to give me a lot of flexibility in how I can style my beard?” This is also valuable. Does it instill trust in its users? Or is it cheap and tears off hairs rather than cutting them, resulting in a bad experience?”
Battery Life And Quick Charge
“Nothing is worse than a flat battery when you need to clean up,” adds Purcell. This is why he lays great weight on the ability of a device to trim you on a rapid charge, if not a corded charge. How much battery life will you receive by plugging in the device for a few minutes (our gauge was three minutes), and would it be enough to tidy you up? You can finish the task in five minutes or less. Therefore it should give you anything over that. Regarding total battery life, you want something that strikes a mix between long-lasting runtime (think 90 minutes or more) and the ability to charge as rapidly as its runtime, if not faster. The run-to-charge ratio should be at least one to one.
Waterproofing
“Waterproofing makes cleanup a lot easier, and you never have to worry about your trimmer breaking because it’s wet,” Purcell adds. “I wouldn’t recommend using the trimmer when you’re dripping wet, but lightly wetting the hair makes it a lot easier to cut,” he says, noting that many devices, while not waterproof, have removable heads that are fully printable.
Warranty
Bandholz treats warranties with skepticism. “If I were a barber and this was part of my job, I’d think warranties would be something to consider.” However, as a customer and self-trimmer, I believe warranties are more of a marketing ploy than true indicators of quality,” he says. Most of these devices should and will survive at least three to five years, long outlasting any warranty. And the extra hour or two it may take to claim it on a $20 trimmer may not be worth it.
That’s also why I recommend upgrading to a midrange product with a great guarantee of at least two years, such as my top pick, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000. It’s already been three and a half years and is still running at the top of its game, and its 10-year warranty protects you from any potential manufacturing issues (should you end up with a rare “lemon” of a product). However, you should be able to tell if your product is mediocre within the first few uses, and your store warranty should cover you in this case.
My Expertise
I’ve been covering men’s grooming for nearly a decade, and in addition to Forbes, my key venues include GQ, Men’s Journal, Robb Report, SPY, and others—and I’ve written for practically every other men’s journal as well. There’s a strong possibility I’ve helped you make a buying selection in this category at some point, taught you how to care for yourself (such as shaving with a safety razor or choosing the best hair product), or defined the benefits of a specific skincare ingredient. Every week, I receive dozens of products to test, keeping me updated on grooming trends and top brands. My face, hair, and body serve as a sort of testing lab for the benefit of readers like you.
Is It Better To Groom Your Beard With A Razor Or Trimmer?
It all depends on what kind of look you want to get. A beard trimmer includes interchangeable guard heads and allows you to cut your beard to any length (even stubble). On the other hand, an electric shaver will shave the hair down to the skin (it will feel smooth on contact but will not be as close as the results of using a manual razor).
Some devices offer multi-functionality or replaceable heads, providing the user with trimming and shaving options. Typically, you should concentrate on the primary function you desire from a device (trimming, detailing, shaving, etc.) and buy a device that best meets that function. The multi-purpose tools on this list are fantastic at finding that happy medium for the user who wants it all, and any additional capabilities are a benefit.
How Can You Maximize The Life Of Your Beard Trimmer?
Trimmer upkeep is critical to its longevity,” says Sofie Pak, barber, and cofounder of Stmnt Collective. “As long as you follow a few essential guidelines, maintenance is relatively easy. You use an all-in-one clipper spray before and after each use to maintain your tool lubricated, clean, disinfected, and rust-free. “Clean all excess hair before storing it.” Many brands also contain a beard oil that may be put on the beard after each use to provide the same lubrication.
How Should You Store A Beard Trimmer?
“It’s best to keep it protected by using a blade cover (which usually comes attached when purchasing a new tool) and also a clipper or trimmer sleeve,” explains Julius Arriola, barber, and cofounder of Stmnt collective. “If you do not have a clipper sleeve, store the tool in a safe, cool place inside a drawer or case where it is secure and won’t move around too much.” My top pick, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, comes with a hard-shell carrying case to prevent it from damage.
How Do You Clean A Beard Trimmer?
“It’s important never to let hair and debris accumulate, so clean and oil the tool regularly.” “It takes more than just wiping it down,” Arriola explains. “First, wipe any general stray hair and debris off the tool with a clean towel. Follow up with the cleaning brush with the tool to clean off the hair accumulated on the blade and lever. Use professional-grade clipper disinfectant to spray down the blades, followed by clipper oil to hydrate them.” You don’t have to clean after every use, but you shouldn’t slack off either; monthly is an optimum minimum frequency.
Arriola offers a pro tip: “To clean further, I suggest using air-in-a-can sprays to get all the debris out of the tight spaces.” These are the canned-air dusters you use to clean out things like debris under the keys of your keyboard—or bits of hair in your trimming device.
More Grooming Stories To Shop
The top beard trimmers are the topic of our in-depth review above. For additional best-in-class recommendations, check out our grooming and haircare categories below. Shop our favorite electric razors for men and women, beard oils, toiletry bags, and more, by clicking through.
- Best Electric Razors For Women
- Best Hair Clippers
- Best Beard Oils
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- Best Toiletry Bags For Men
