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Grooming

The 29 best beard trimmers to tame your mighty beard: Tried & tested by GQ's grooming editors

Hunting for the best beard trimmer? Here are the best picks on top models from Braun and Philips to Panasonic and Remington, all of which have been tested by GQ

Best beard trimmer for perfecting edges and stubble: Philips OneBlade Pro 360

The price of admission might be relatively high, but Philips' top-tier OneBlade Pro is a dream for the travelling man looking to maintain stubble and short beards away from the comforts of their own bathroom. Powerful, excellent at dealing, and packed full of airport-friendly features, it's a must-have for any globe-trotter.

What are the best beard trimmers at a glance 2024…
  • Best overall beard trimmer: Philips Series 9000 Prestige Beard Trimmer, £130 £99 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best all-purpose beard trimmer: Panasonic Multishape, £70 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget beard trimmer: Braun Beard Trimmer BT3221, £30 £25 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best precision beard trimmer: Hatteker beard trimmer for men, £30 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best beard trimmer for perfecting edges and stubble: Philips OneBlade Pro 360, £100 £80 amazon.co.uk
  • Best beard trimmer for short beards: Braun Series XT5, £55 £41 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best beard trimmer for stubble shaving: Babyliss iStubble, £85 £65 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best powerful beard trimmer: Panasonic ER-GB86, £80 £36 at amazon.co.uk
  • Best multigroomer: Gillette Intimate, £90 at gillette.co.uk

Skip to: How we test the best beard trimmers | What should I look out for when buying a beard trimmer? | What kind of beard trimmer do professional barbers use? | How do you maintain a long beard? | How do you shave shorter beards? | What's the best technique for trimming a beard? | How do you clean a beard trimmer? | What’s the difference between beard trimmers and multi-groomers? | Can I trim my beard in the shower? | How much should I spend on a beard trimmer | What are the best grooming tools for men? | How do you look after a beard once it's trimmed?

How we test the best beard trimmers

Anyone who is hoping to grow and look after a beard should seek out the advice of someone who does it full time. It's hard work to get your head around various oils, trimmers and shaping tools, so we've roped in someone who's pride and joy is their beard and how it looks. Our grooming editor, Owen Gough, has been working in the industry for more than seven years, testing every blade and razor in the business to get an idea of what the rest of you beard-owning folk might want to buy. Key to any beard trimmer scoring his recommendation is its balancing ergonomics, aesthetics and ease of use whether its owner happens to be a trimming pro or an absolute beginner. Elsewhere, we've looked at a combination of user reviews, specs, and features – combined with those years of grooming expertise – to pick the cream of the beard trimmer crop.

What should I look out for when buying a beard trimmer?

There's a lot to take on when investigating a new beard trimmer, so if you're not sure where to begin, allow us to explain the key bits you need to focus on.

Trimming length: Whether you're blessed with a mighty beard of Thor or just got a bit of stubble poking out around your chin, you'll want to experiment with the lengths of your facial hair. Shaving your entire face all the same length can round off your jawline and reduce the sharpness of your face, which is not what we're aiming for here.

Instead, you should be shaving sections of your beard along the cheeks at steadily increasing lengths to stretch out the jaw to create an illusion of a blockier face. Therefore, you should hunt for a beard trimmer that can easily switch between cutting lengths for the desired effect, with proglide blades that make it easier to mark out the layers as you go. Most models can do this with a scaling razor blade that chops hair at different lengths, or will come with included guiding combs to raise the hairs for you.

Battery life: The last thing you need is for the battery to die mid-shave. We've all suffered through the embarrassment and it sucks, so make sure you check out the battery length of your trimmer to ensure it lasts as long as possible to reduce that risk. For most men, a 10-minute shave is enough to clear away the unwanted whiskers, so anything with an hour charge should be good to go. It's also worth checking how long it takes to top up, as you don't want to be forced to wait several hours before you can use it again.

Cordless or corded: Following on from that, some trimmers are corded, requiring a hard line into a wall socket to power. These will inevitably be more powerful and will remove the risk of running out of charge as you shave but won't be waterproof, which is a snag if you prefer to shave and shower at the same time.

Accessories: “Make sure the trimmer you choose also has an option for attachments, so you can use different grades to achieve a clean blend, ” says Armstrong. “If you like stubble, you will need to look for a trimmer with close trim attachments, whereas if you prefer a more short-to-medium beard, you will need slightly longer attachments (depending on the model of trimmer, the grades may be measured in millimetres or with a number system). For a long beard, the same rules apply, but the difference is finding a quality trimmer that will cut through cleanly and won't pull on the hair, as freehand work is required. Good news is that most trimmers on the market come with a range of attachments to suit all lengths and needs.”

Some top-tier options arrive with electric shaver accessories, an additional wet razor or clipper heads specifically for shaving body hair.

Trusted brands: For Jordan, it’s all about sticking to the grooming brands you know and love. Armstrong told us, “If it’s just for home use and it's your first foray into beard trimmers, I would recommend investing in a trusted brand like Braun, Wahl, Philips, or Panasonic, as these will feel more powerful and cut the hair much more efficiently and effectively than a cheaper alternative, ultimately making your life easier.”

What kind of beard trimmer do professional barbers use?

Looking to emulate the pros? Mills says, “Personally, I use the Babyliss Custom FX Clipper. The reason being they have a great battery life, is easy to handle and have a great blade and guard selection. I prefer a hair clipper as it has the power and battery life for what I need. It will get through a full beard or help maintain my stubble depending on which route I’m going down. Wahl also has a great selection as well but I prefer Babyliss.” Regardless of the brand you choose, you need to make sure your trimmer has a marathon-level battery, exceptional guiding combs and the versatility to cultivate an epic beard without difficulty.

In general, corded clippers are more powerful, which is why barbers still often use them for hair. The downside, of course, is that they take up more space and limit where you can comfortably groom yourself. Almost all beard trimmers these days are cordless lithium-ion rechargeable affairs, and with good reason — they’re far more practical and more than powerful enough to get the job done in between a full charge. If you're not fussed about waterproofing, charge times and wire-free use, though, then a powerful corded trimmer can be a joy to use.

How do you maintain a long beard?

Joe's guide to maintaining a long beard is simple. “Trimming and shaping a long beard is a different skill from trimming stubble,” he says. “If you want to try this at home, it's all visual. Take your time and remember less is more as once you cut it's done.”

“Use a comb or brush and really work it through the beard after you have used a beard wash. This allows you to see what you have to work with. Then look at what areas you want to trim or shape. If it's on the lower neck then think about how much you want off. There will be a selection of clipper guards with your clippers so try them off the clipper almost as a comb to see how much length they will remove and leave and you may find you have a guard that is perfect. Take your time, using the mirror and comb to keep checking before you trim. Often using the clipper in a downward motion allows you more control as you are going with the hair growth.”

In addition, make sure your trimmer can handle thicker facial hair without breaking a sweat. Something like the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, which has an integrated metal comb and sensor for checking hair density, is ideal.

How do you shave shorter beards?

“Using the guards that come with the trimmers, find your optimal length that suits your beard," says Mills. "Do this with the guard off the trimmer so you can use it as a guide. If you are unsure, start longer and see how you go, as you can always go closer.”

As you'll be making larger, sweeping cuts into your facial hair, you want a trimmer that can move and flex along the contours of your face, as well as sharp blades to cut the shorter hair and stubble. Many options, like the King C. Gillette, come with a wet razor to tidy up any leftover gristle once you've passed over with your trimmer, so we recommend one of these.

What's the best technique for trimming a beard?

For general beard-trimming advice Jordan Armstrong has got you covered. “For medium to longer beards, start by brushing your beard out. Then, with your clipper or beard trimmer, and without any attachments, start at the bottom of the beard and cut to your desired length,” he says. "Next, create the rest of the shape (e.g. square or rounded, taking off all unwanted strays on the way.) A good technique is to always go with the grain, especially when fading out the sides. Flip your trimmer or clipper over so the blade faces down, and cut downwards with a light flick outwards at the end of each stroke for a smooth blend, switching to shorter settings closer to the ear, to avoid taking too much off.

“When cleaning up neck hair, a finger-width above the Adam's apple is a great starting point. With your machine upside down, use the blade to make a crisp line, and take off any remaining hair underneath. A moustache is slightly trickier – tuck the teeth of a comb underneath the hair (with the teeth facing upwards above the upper-lip), and slowly cut above the comb until you reach your desired length.”

How do you clean a beard trimmer?

It's not all fun and games though, as there's a lot to be said about hygiene. Mills says, “Keep the clippers clean and you may have to give them a quick brush during the process, also let the trimmer do the work and don’t rush the process. Look after your trimmer and always check the blades are aligned.”

So how do you clean them? Mills tells us, “The best and most hygienic way is to first use a small bristle brush (most sets come with one) and then a sterilising spray such as clippercide. This keeps the blades lubricated and clean and should be done after each use really to keep the clippers at the optimum. If they are chargeable keep them topped up and be careful not to drop them as the blades will get damaged and need to be reset in position.”

What’s the difference between beard trimmers and multi-groomers?

Beard trimmers do exactly what you’d expect: they trim down your beard using adjustable guards and comb attachments that ensure clean, even beard lengths for a smarter look. Multi-groomers work in the same way but also have different attachments for tackling other body hair from head to toe, without risking any nefarious cuts that might otherwise ruin your day. Many people opt for a multi-groomer to keep bathroom cabinet clutter to a minimum. Multigroomers are essentially improved body hair trimmers

However, we'd recommend having a body trimmer for your body hair and one for your beard – we're sure we don't have to explain the hygiene issues with using the same razor everywhere on your body, so it's worth expanding your grooming arsenal with the right gear.

Can I trim my beard in the shower?

There’s no denying that cleaning a sink after trimming your beard is the worst part of the whole process, but there is an alternative. All cordless trimmers and multi-groomers are waterproof, allowing you to use them in the shower for an instant, easily washable clean-up. Having said that, there are a few things to consider, such as using an anti-fog mirror so you can see what you’re doing and ensuring that trimmer blades are patted dry after each use.

Neat stubble can be tricky to achieve if you haven’t got a suitable precision trimmer. Ideally, you want one that offers a very close, precise shave, which means you’re looking at spending a little more money for trimmers with a multitude of precision length settings. Alternatively, you can spend less on a trimmer with separate guard attachments, which will be cheaper than an adjustable one, although it’ll take up more room in your travel bag/cupboard.

How much should I spend on a beard trimmer?

If you like to keep an eye on your budget before you pull the trigger on a purchase, you should be concerning yourself with how much money you should be spending to get the quality you need. Down at the bottom of the pile, trimmers under £40 are decent for a trip aboard or for managing chin tufts if you're not so engaged with shaping, precision trimming or particularly long hair. Options like the Philips OneBlade are sensationally good at this price, offering decent cutting ability at affordable costs.

For those who can spend a little more – between £50 and £100 – there's another level of utility available. Options like the Panasonic ER-GB86 or the Philips Series 9000 Prestige are your best bet around this cost, with superb cutting capabilities, long-lasting batteries and weighty, ergonomic handles to make it all smoother. These ones will also more likely be waterproof so you can trim and shave in the shower or bath.

What are the best grooming tools for men?

At GQ, we're dedicated to ensuring you look and feel your absolute best, so we've gone to many lengths to test, assess and recommend only the best gadgets, gear and products that are going to help you along that journey to grooming nirvana. To get your beard under control, we'll point you in the direction of our roundup of the best Philips beard trimmers, before guiding you to our many individual reviews of the top-end products we absolutely love, like the Philips Series 9000 Prestige, the Panasonic Multishape, the Philips OneBlade 360 Pro or the Panasonic ER-GB86.

If it's a hair clipper or a spot of nose hair trimming you're after, we've also got you covered, or anyone looking to manage their teeth should head over to our electric toothbrush and water flosser guides.

How do you look after a beard once it's trimmed?

Keeping the beard trimmed and tidy is only one part of the job. The rest of it is keeping it supple, clean and shaped in just the right way. Taking good care of your beard outside of trimming it will ensure you don't need to keep cutting it down, helping you grow it longer, faster, but it's also good for the skin underneath, eliminating the risk of spots or dry skin.

We'd recommend washing your beard before you give it a good trim, using a rich lather that suits your skin type. Similar to your head hair, it's worth holding out a few days between properly shampooing and conditioning your beard, as your face's natural oils won't have a chance to clear our the dead skin if you wash it too frequently. Depending on the length, once every few days should be good enough.

However, what you can do every day is add a beard oil to your beard. This will encourage the facial pores to help out with the natural oils to stop it from becoming coarse and scratchy, while also making it easier to manipulate into shape. Simply add a small amount of a scented oil (though make sure it doesn't have any alcohol in it) and push it through your beard hair. A useful tool to help out with this is a proper beard comb to tease it through evenly.

GQ's pick of the best grooming guides


So you're keen to start taking care of your beard? Why stop there? There's a whole world of men's grooming and self care to explore, and if you're the adventurous type, you may want to see what's out there. Oh, and we're happy to be your guide throughout this journey to maintaining a proper beard and skin care routine, as we've got a complete range of dedicated roundups to help you figure out what you need.

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