The best beard trimmers, recommended by men’s grooming experts

Much like a pair of hair clippers or a set of beard oils, a good quality beard trimmer is an essential component of any well-stocked wash bag. Whether you opt for a clean shave, a neat beard, or a carefully shaped moustache, a beard trimmer is a necessary gadget for any well-groomed man.

However, with an endless choice of products available to buy online, from clippers to shavers, detailers to trimmers, if you’re serious about using the right piece of kit for your beard type, it’s important to properly consider the type of gadget best suited to your needs.

To help you find a beard trimmer that’s right for you, The Recommended spoke to barbers from two of London’s leading barbershops to find out what you should look for and avoid. Below we share our experts’ recommendations, as well as some of our own top picks based on their advice.

Jump to the best beard trimmers:

• Best overall beard trimmer: Wahl Aqua Blade Stubble and Beard Trimmer 9899-800X
• Best beard trimmer for short hair: Andis Slimline Pro Li Professional Trimmer
• Best beard trimmer for thick beards: Babyliss Pro Cordless Super Motor Clipper
• Best precision beard trimmer: Philips BT9810/13 Series 9000 Prestige Beard
• Best all-in-one: Braun 6-in-1 Beard Trimmer
• Best shaver: Braun Series XT5 Hybrid Beard & Stubble Trimmer
• Best beard trimmer for travel: Hangsun Beard Trimmer
• Best budget beard trimmer: Remington Barba Beard Trimmer

Our grooming experts

Our men’s grooming experts Tom Hunt and Ben Vowles work for two of London’s leading barbershops, with unrivalled knowledge about which male grooming products are the best to use at home.

Tom ‘TJ’ Hunt is one of the barbers at the multi-award winning barbershop and leading men’s grooming brand Ruffians, credited as ‘the architects of the modern barbershop revolution’. Ruffians launched their first shop in Edinburgh a decade ago before opening four more shops in central London.

Ben Vowles is a head barber at Murdock London, which has established itself as a master of grooming. Ben began working in the hair industry in 2005 before spending the next ten years working at Toni & Guy. In 2016, Ben transitioned into men’s grooming with Murdock London. Ben says he is passionate about passing on his knowledge, whether to his clients to find the best products or sharing his skills and experience with fellow staff.

What should you look for and avoid when buying beard trimmers?

Firstly, TJ recommends being aware of gimmicks. “Companies are constantly trying to invent pretty unnecessary unique selling points for their latest model of beard trimmer in an attempt to make it stand out in the ever-growing crowd and make you buy their latest model, which is often alarmingly similar to the previous one,” he says.

In reality, “you just need something sharp, robust, straightforward and cordless. Ever tried trimming your beard with a corded trimmer? It’s a right pain.”

It may sound obvious, but as Ben points out, you should also opt for a reputable brand and make sure the trimmer you pick is specifically designed for beards and not hair. “Beard trimmers are smaller and make it easier to get all the angles of the face,” he says.

Tom disagrees somewhat. He says that it’s fine to consider trimmers or clippers that are not solely dedicated to beards, so long as they are suitable for your own beard style. “In a barbershop environment, we most commonly use hair clippers and detailers to tame a client’s beard rather than a specific beard trimmer, so don’t discount those when considering what to buy,” he says. “The differences can be pretty minimal and the price-to-quality ratio much better.”

What beard trimmers do you specifically recommend and why?

Unsurprisingly, both of our experts recommend a Wahl trimmer - specifically, the Wahl Aqua Blade. Tom emphasises the brand’s reputation for manufacturing products that are “well made, hardworking and effective” and rates the fact that the Aqua Blade can be used wet and dry, “which makes it very handy for those who like to carry out their facial maintenance in the shower”.

TJ also recommends the Babyliss Pro Cordless Super Motor Clipper. While it isn’t technically a beard trimmer, he says it “works like a dream on any type of hair” and is like a “Ferrari in terms of performance”.

The Andis Slimline Pro Li also comes recommended by our expert TJ. He describes it as “a barbershop favourite, and for good reason”. He says it is built to withstand heavy use and has a reasonable price point for its build quality.

Find out more about each of these expert-recommended beard trimmers and some of our own top picks below.

The best beard trimmers

Best overall beard trimmer: Wahl Aqua Blade Stubble and Beard Trimmer 9899-800X

Use wet or dry

The Wahl Aqua Blade Stubble and Beard Trimmer comes jointly recommended by our two experts, who describe the trimmer as “well-made, hardworking and effective” on beards.

The most notable feature of this trimmer is that it can be used either wet or dry, which TJ says is great for those who like to trim their beard in the shower, and also means it can be easily cleaned under a tap rather than having to brush out clogged up hair follicles when dry. The battery life is also impressive. One hour of charge promises to provide 180 minutes of use, and a five-minute quick-charge feature is said to provide enough power for one shave. The Aqua Blade also comes with 12 guide combs providing cutting lengths ranging from 0.2 to 22mm and features high-quality carbon steel blades designed for longevity.

Best trimmer for short hair: Andis Slimline Pro Li Professional Trimmer

Impressive battery

According to our expert TJ, the Andis Slimline Pro Li Professional Trimmer has an “unbelievable” battery that lasts a couple of days of use with back to back clients in his barbershop.

While this is technically a detailer rather than a specific beard trimmer, Tom says it is “ideal for those who opt for short to mid-length facial foliage and want to keep it in regular check”. The Andis Slimline Pro Li Professional Trimmer has a full recharge time of two hours and 15 minutes, providing two full hours of use.

Best trimmer for thick beards: Babyliss Pro Cordless Super Motor Clipper

Powerful precision

With a high-powered lithium battery and high-torque brushless motor, our expert TJ says the Babyliss Pro Cordless Super Motor Clipper is ideal for tackling a thick beard.

While heavy and not technically a beard trimmer, according to TJ, this product “works like a dream on any type of hair” and “even the gnarliest of beards will be dealt with like a hot knife through butter”. The Cordless Super Motor Clipper promises 120 minutes of run time on three hours of charge, comes with a five-position adjustable taper lever, as well as six comb guides for cutting grades from 1 to 6 - which is handy if you want a trimmer suitable for both your beard and hair.

Best precision beard trimmer: Philips BT9810/13 Series 9000 Prestige Beard

Use wet or dry

Recommended by our expert Ben, the 9000 Series trimmer features the Philips’ PowerAdapt Sensor technology, which checks hair density 125 times per second to automatically adapt cutting power.

This technology is designed to provide consistent cutting performance, regardless of the length and density of your beard. It also features Philips’ SteelPrecision technology, consisting of a metal comb and cutter designed to deliver precise trimming. This trimmer allows you to choose between 30 length settings ranging from 0.2 to 10mm and is said to provide 120 minutes of cordless use after one hour of charge.

Best all-in-one: Braun 6-in-1 Beard Trimmer

Handy set of attachments

With attachments for long and short beard trimming, hair clipping, contouring, and ear and nose trimming, the Braun 6-in-1 Beard Trimmer is a great all-in-one option.

This trimmer promises to deliver 50 minutes of cordless trimming with 10 hours of charge and comes with a two-pin bathroom plug. It also features ‘lifetime sharp’ blades and 13 length settings, promising to deliver precise cutting and a long lifespan.

Best shaver: Braun Series XT5 Hybrid Beard & Stubble Trimmer

Protects your skin

With Braun’s SkinGuard technology, the Series XT5 Hybrid Beard & Stubble Trimmer promises to protect your skin, whether you use it around your face or other delicate areas.

This cordless trimmer also features Braun’s 4D-Blade technology, designed to promote close shaves while remaining gentle on your skin. It comes with six combs for your beach and body, providing cutting lengths between 0.3 and 5mm. It is also fully waterproof, so it can be used in the shower and cleaned without hassle under a tap.

Best beard trimmer for travel: Hangsun Beard Trimmer

Stylish design

If you want to take a beard trimmer with you on your travels without compromising on quality, the Hangsun Beard Trimmer’s universal voltage and USB charging docking station make it a great option.

The Hangsun Beard Trimmer is a cordless clipper that is said to provide 90 minutes of use when fully charged for one and a half hours. With five comb attachments providing cutting lengths ranging from 3 to 7mm, as well as ‘skin-friendly blades’, it is also suitable for body grooming.

Best budget beard trimmer: Remington Barba Beard Trimmer

Straightforward design

With nine pre-set length settings ranging from 1.5 to 18mm, the Remington Barba is a simplistic beard trimmer that provides up to 40 minutes of cordless use when fully charged.

The Remington Barba Beard Trimmer features ceramic coated blades designed to promote precise cutting, as well as a pop-up trimmer function for shaping chin hair and sideburns. It also comes with a cleaning brush.

Want to read more expert-recommended hair care essential round-ups? Check out our hair care page for a full list of recommendations, including our guide to the best hair clippers for men, the best beard oils and the best hair dryers, as recommended by our hair care experts.