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These tried and tested gadgets will keep beards and hair in shape Brand Hair Trimmer
This article was updated in November with new tried and tested products, and to reflect the latest prices and deals.
If you're looking to keep your beard and hair in tip-top condition between visits to the barber, it's worth investing in your own beard trimmer and pair of hair clippers.
Determining which devices and attachments you actually need can be confusing though, which is where we come in.
The Good Housekeeping Institute recruited 295 men to trial a range of top grooming brands and find the models worth spending your money on (whether for yourself or as a savvy Christmas gift). These are their top recommendations at a glance:
Many electricals will cater to all your grooming needs, coming with a variety of add-ons to tackle hair from head to toe. So, do you really need both a beard trimmer and a pair of hair clippers?
Well, they do serve slightly different purposes. While hair clippers are great for cutting through larger areas of hair on the body and head, they work by not getting too close to the skin. A trusted trimmer, meanwhile, is designed to work on smaller sections with fine detail — think sideburns, beards and the back of the neck — and provide a closer shave.
It can be worth having both in your kit, but ultimately, it's down to personal preference.
Whether you’re buying for yourself or the man in your life, there are a few general things to keep in mind when on the lookout for a beard trimmer or hair clipper.
Trimmer length range: Most tools come with attachable combs in a range of different lengths — usually 0.5mm to 30mm — to trim an array of beards. Some of the more advanced options feature a built-in dial adjustment to help keep clutter to a minimum.
Battery life: The higher maintenance the beard, the longer it will take to groom, so make sure you pick a device with a battery life that’s up for the task. The gadgets on our list can last from 45 to 180 minutes. The majority will be rechargeable but some of the cheaper options will be battery operated, so keep an eye out for that.
Corded vs cordless: They both have their pros and cons. Cordless may seem like the obvious option (as you don’t have to be chained to the bathroom socket) but convenience is often compromised for power. Though easier to pack for on-the-go styling, these models also tend to be more expensive.
We asked 295 testers to trial a range of the top beard trimmers and hair clippers for two to three weeks. They assessed each one on how well it cut hair and how easy it was to store and clean. They also considered its accessories, battery life, charge-up time, noise level and design.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, our expert team measured how loud device was in use with a noise meter. We also asked a small panel of professional barbers and hairdressers to give their opinion, so we could take their expert views into account, too.
This winning beard trimmer impressed our panel, who praised the flexible, cordless design and lightweight handle, which made grooming hard-to-reach areas a breeze.
It was whisper-quiet in the lab (perfect for early morning shaves) and held its charge for multiple uses, while the variety of accessories and cutting lengths make this a super versatile tool for shaping wiry beards, moustache trimming, eyebrow taming, and tackling pesky nose and ear hairs.
A game-changer for your grooming routine, the Remington B5 boasts self-sharpening titanium blades for a quick, clean shave – even for testers with longer, coarse hair.
Our testers were big fans of the Intuitive Zoom Wheel, which allows users to switch between hair lengths (0.4-18mm) with ease, while the reliable battery life and compact, travel-proof design made it a top pick for frequent travellers.
Yet to be converted to an electric beard trimmer? The beginner-friendly Super Stubble by Babyliss provides a close, clean shave (one tester even compared the results to that of a “professional razor shave”), gliding smoothly across the skin without any nicks or cuts. It’s cordless for maximum maneuverability, and our panelists loved how easy it was to rinse and clean, too.
Panasonic's wet and dry beard trimmer wowed the vast majority of our panel with an accurate shave, cutting through hair effortlessly to give them a tidy up in no time.
It didn’t just tackle beards either; everyone said it glided well across the contours of the body. It also comfortably tackled head hair. Overall, it proved easy to control, straightforward to use and quiet in action.
Described as intuitive by our panel for its trim, shave and edge features, this device and its 16 attachment combs can cater to all beard styles and lengths. The grippy rubber handle made it easy to use even when wet, so you can bring your grooming routine into the shower if you’re short on time.
It mowed beard hair in just one stroke for the majority of our testers, who also praised its power. They appreciated its sleek, premium design, with one noting how easy it was to use on both their beard and neckline.
With 58 cutting lengths to choose from, this tool will let you chop and change your style as often as you want. It got through hair quickly, leaving the majority of our testers delighted with the finished result.
It mastered trickier areas, such as under the chin, cutting hair precisely and effectively. Our testers enjoyed a comfortable trim too, with the blades remaining sharp throughout our testing.
If blunt blades constantly get in the way of you achieving your desired beard, note that these claim to stay sharp for life.
Sure enough, our testers reported a precise finish, finding it particularly effective around the edges of their beards. Everyone agreed it gave them a good close shave and they didn't experience any discomfort.
Cheap doesn’t always mean ineffective; this beard trimmer is currently reduced to just £20, yet it cut through hair in one motion for all our testers. Everyone found it easy to shave around the jawline, moustache and chin area, delivering a close shave.
Overall, it left almost everyone with their desired look, providing an accurate and comfortable groom. It was simple to use, but does only offer trimming lengths up to 5mm, so try another model if you prefer a longer beard. Overall, though, our panellists were so impressed, they planned keep it by their sink for future use.
King C. Gilette Beard Trimmer £18, 81/100
Wahl Stainless Steel Stubble & Beard Trimmer £59.49, 78/100
Braun Series XT5 Beard Trimmer £33.32, 76/100
Our winning hair clippers boast impressive versatility, with an adjustable taper lever that offers a range of cutting lengths, 12 comb attachments and a comprehensive styling kit – including barber comb, styling comb and scissors – for all your grooming needs.
Our testers said they achieved a precise, consistent cut with the easy-switch heads (no need for a second go-over, here) and appreciated the quick charge, long battery life and comfortable, cordless handle.
This all-in-one hair clipper and beard trimmer impressed our testers so much that all agreed they’d keep it in their kit after the trial period. It was easy to control and comfortable to hold and left everyone with their desired look.
It cut hair in a single motion, making it easy for all our testers to create a fade cut and achieve their desired length. It handled hard-to-reach areas such as above the ears well and kept everyone irritation-free.
This clipper doesn’t compromise on performance, with testers finding the device easy to operate and able to achieve a precise fade without snagging or dragging, while lithium-Ion technology delivers up to two hours of consistent, cordless power on a single charge.
It’s easy to clean and store, thanks to the compact travel case, and our panel particularly liked the clever colour-coded system, which made it simple to remember the right cutting lengths for different styles and users.
No great cut has ever been achieved by blunt blades, which is where these self-sharpening ones come in handy. They worked as promised, without testers having to go over the same area more than once.
The LCD battery indicator was not only practical, but it also gave the device a luxe feel. All testers found it comfortable to hold and easy to control. It tackled nose and ear hair well for everyone and left the majority with their ideal haircut.
These Japanese steel clippers never let our testers down when it came to delivering a precise cut, leaving all with their desired result. Everyone thought the clippers looked premium, as well as being comfortable to hold and straightforward to control.
All testers appreciated the tool's speed for getting the job done, and found it easy to reach the back of the head, too. The multiple included guides were simple to switch out, with testers finding the innovative adjustment wheel really useful and handy for keeping loose accessories to a minimum.
Including every bit of kit you could need for a professional at-home cut, testers appreciated how neat this clipper was to store and were impressed with the quality of the attachments. Everyone found it easy to switch between them, allowing them to achieve a precise tidy-up.
They were also able to create the look they wanted, and found the device both powerful and accurate. One tester noted that the blades were so sharp, they didn’t experience any tugging, and others agreed it was pain-free to use.
King C. Gilette Beard Trimmer £18, 81/100
Wahl Stainless Steel Stubble & Beard Trimmer £59.49, 78/100
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.
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