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The best beard trimmer in the world is a Turkish chap in Cricklewood – but if you can’t easily fit in a visit then your next best option is to acquire yourself an electric beard trimming machine.
Choosing the right trimmer isn’t as easy as you might think, however. There are loads of different brands vying for your hard-earned, and each offers a whole range of models. Some might masquerade as shavers-cum-trimmers; others are advertised as body stylers, for tidying up everything from facial hair to delicate body areas.
Here, we’ve concentrated on items designed for the sole purpose of beard styling. Whether you’re hoping to maintain a neat five-o’clock shadow or pruning a full-blown Francis Drake, read on to find out which is right for you.
How to choose the best beard trimmer
What features should I look for?
Almost all trimmers will let you achieve a range of different beard-lengths, with the aid of clip-on spacers or an adjustable clipper head. Some models can cut longer beards – and even head hair – up to 20mm in length, while others are designed specifically for maintaining short stubble from 10mm down to .05mm.
All of the models featured here let you to remove the comb to gain access to the blade itself – useful for contoured detailing of the neck and cheek lines, around the nose and the sideburns. Most models aren’t waterproof, though, so to clean the blade housing, you’ll need to remove it and rinse it under a tap.
Are some trimmers suitable for travelling?
A two-pin shaver plug won’t fit a European mains socket: the pins are the same size, but spaced further apart. Bear this in mind next time you’re travelling. Or, choose a battery-operated trimmer – just make sure it doesn’t run out at an inconvenient time. Another option is to opt for a trimmer that charges via a USB connection, such as the Remington below.
Does facial hair grow more quickly after shaving?
This is an impressively persistent myth. Facial hair grows about half an inch a month, regardless of whether you’ve shaved or not. If it appears to grow more quickly after shaving, that may simply be because the first shoots of hair on bare skin are more noticeable.
The best beard trimmers 2017
1. Remington Touch Control Lithium (MB4560): Best beard trimmer for taking on your travels
Price when reviewed:£65 - Buy now from Amazon
This superbly designed trimmer ticks all the right boxes. It has a three-speed motor, self-sharpening blades and a wonderfully tactile motorised height adjuster, offering trim lengths from 0.4mm to 18mm. This means it only needs a single clip-on comb, and no extra bits you’ll likely lose.
In use it’s exceptionally comfortable in the hand, and produced a perfectly smooth trim with no snagging whatsoever. The only issue we found was that some shaved stubble got caught under the removable comb, which looked a bit unsightly.
The Remington also offers the unusual convenience of charging over micro-USB. This means you can also charge it from any portable USB power pack or computer – a huge boon for travellers.
In all, the Remington Touch Control Lithium takes first place for design, ease of use and convenience. It even comes with a tasteful nylon pouch. Highly recommended.
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Remington MB4560 Touch Control Lithium Beard Trimmer - Black/Silver
Key specs – Cutting range: 0.4 - 18mm; Length increments: 175; Usage time: 50 mins; Charging method: Micro USB; Motorised adjuster: Yes
2. Braun BT3040: Best value trimmer
Price when reviewed:£33 - Buy now from Argos
This Braun is proof that you don’t need to spend a lot for a consummate trimmer. It comes with two robust combs of different lengths, with 20 cutting increments from 1mm to 20mm: the height adjustment dial moves the comb up or down in 0.5mm increments, though it isn’t as tactile as the motorised Remington. You also need to swap the combs over for a longer or shorter trim, which raises the possibility that one will get lost.
In use, though, this trimmer produces excellent, effortless results. You can approach from any direction, without precise positioning, and it cuts smoothly and evenly every time with zero snagging - ideal for those in a rush. And when it’s time for some contour edging, you can simply remove the comb and trim off excess stubble using the blade alone.
Braun has even seen fit to include a free Gillette Fusion ProGlide manual razor for ultra-close finish, making this package a top choice for Desperate Dans on a budget.
Key specs – Cutting range: 1 - 20mm; Length increments: 39; Usage time: 60 mins; Charging method: Two-pin shaver (no UK adaptor); Motorised adjuster: No
3. Philips Series 7000 (BT7202): Best no-mess, no-fuss trimmer
Price when reviewed:£40 - Buy now from Amazon
Fed up with stubble in the sink? This trimmer comes with a built-in vacuum, which sucks up at least 90% of clippings and deposits them into a small removable container just beneath the blade housing. It works exceptionally well, keeping your bathroom more or less hair-free.
On the downside, the design of the comb can make it difficult to see precisely where you’re shaving, and it’s not as nicely balanced in the hand as the Remington. It’s also not suitable for long beards: a rubberised adjustment wheel steps the comb down from a maximum of 10mm down to 0.5mm in half-millimetre steps.
If you like to walk around as you trim, or tend to shave in a hurry with no time to clear up after yourself, then this clever trimmer should be your first port of call. It also comes with a separate precision trimmer blade and charges via standard three-pin UK plug.
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Philips Series 7000 Beard & Stubble Trimmer with Integrated Vacuum System - BT7202/13
Key specs – Cutting range: 0.5 - 10mm; Length increments: 20; Usage time: 75 mins; Charging method: Three-pin UK plug; Motorised adjuster: No
4. BaByliss Super Stubble XTP: Best trimmer for designer stubble
Price when reviewed: £60 - Buy now from John Lewis
This high-end BaByliss model comes with its own charging cradle - which may or may not be convenient, depending on the layout of your bathroom. It also means it’s not ideal for travelling with, but you’ll get around 70 minutes of trimming on a charge, which may well be enough for the odd trip.
The XTP’s floating head is designed to follow the contours of your face; it feels very comfortable, but it doesn’t give you much positive feedback, so you might need to watch in the mirror to reassure yourself that it is in fact doing its job. The fixed comb’s plastic teeth can also occasionally snag if moving the unit in reverse.
Like the Remington, this trimmer has a motorised length control. However, your options extend only from 0.4mm to 5mm, in steps of 0.2mm at a time, so it’s best suited to stubble control (as the name implies): those with shaggy beards need not apply. Still, if you have a five-o’-clock shadow to maintain - and a suitable spot for the charger - then this elegant trimmer does the job with a touch of class.
Key specs – Cutting range: 0.4 - 5mm; Length increments: 23; Usage time: 70 mins; Charging method: Cradle with UK 3-pin adaptor; Motorised adjuster: Yes
5. Panasonic i-Shaper 3-in-1 (ER-GD60): Most versatile beard trimmer
Price when reviewed:£80 - Buy now from Amazon
This trimmer brings an unusual blade head design that supposedly allows you to trim, style and shave. However, there’s quite a learning curve involved: the blade itself is positioned vertically at 90˚, so you need to hold it horizontally. This takes some getting used to, and a bit of peering into the mirror. Once you get the hang of it, though, the actual shaving result is excellent - we found it perfectly smooth, with no snatching.
And once you’ve tamed the length, you can remove the adjustable comb and clip on the detail attachment that reduces the width of the blade from 35mm to 5mm - or ditch the comb altogether and use the main blade as a shaver. This isn’t ideal for a full-face shave - we found it too scratchy and irritating - but it’s perfect for tidying up sideburns, cheek and neck lines.
Our only complaint is the weighty, overlong charging cable. But we can forgive that because, learning curve notwithstanding, the end result was excellent. A clever trimmer that offers everything a discerning cultivator of facial hair could need.
Key specs – Cutting range: 0.5 - 10mm; Length increments: 20; Usage time: 50 mins; Charging method: Three-pin UK plug; Motorised adjuster: No