Our Definitive Ranking of the 11 Best Beard Trimmers of 2020
When it comes to styling your facial hair, the line between a messy, overgrown Rip Van Wrinkle beard and a perfectly on-trend look is often a delicate dance. A little bit of growth on either side can really make or break a beard. And while people without beards often assume this type of facial hair requires less grooming than daily shaving, men with beards know that’s not really the case. At least, men with well-groomed beards understand this. That’s why having one of the best beard trimmers in your grooming arsenal is so important.
Electric beard trimmers offer clips and blades that can help you shear through your facial hair like a set of hedge trimmers can cut through greenery. Most come with clip-on combs to help manage longer facial hair and then smaller, more adjustable settings to lock in your desired look. Especially in the time of the coronavirus, it’s a great tool to have on hand while we’re on lockdown.
However, top brands like Braun, Phillips Norelco, Wahl and Panasonic have dozens of different beard trimmers with a wide range of price points. And that’s why choosing the best beard trimmer for your grooming needs can be a real challenge. There are budget models you can buy for under $30, as well as premium hair clippers that will set you back $200 or more. Keep reading for some tips on choosing the best beard trimmer for your facial hair, as well as our picks for the best trimmers available in 2020.
Ranking the Best Electric Beard Trimmers: Features, Price and Beard Length
When shopping for the best men’s beard trimmers, there are a few features that you want to look for. Newer models from top brands will always have some combination of these features:
- 100% waterproof design
- Washable blades
- Cordless, rechargeable battery
- A variety of comb attachments
- Precision blades for close trimming
In addition, it’s important to understand the difference between electric shavers and beard trimmers. There are some hybrid options (see the Panasonic Arc5 or the Bevel beard trimmer below), but most grooming tools are designed for shaving or trimming facial hair, but not both. Electric razors are designed to help you maintain a clean-shaven look on a daily basis. They’re a replacement for your disposable razors or safety blades.
Beard trimmers are designed to clip longer facial hair. For men who want to style and maintain a beard or mustache, trimmers are a necessary grooming product. Beard trimmers are very similar in design to the hair clippers used by your barber.
When it comes to controlling the length of your hair, the best beard trimmers have one of two designs. Some beard trimmers feature an adjustable dial. By adjusting the dial, you can trim your beard hair at varying lengths to suit your facial hair style. These adjustment dials are ideal for short- and medium-length beards. The best beard trimmers for long beards also come with comb attachments designed for different lengths of hair, just like the attachments your barber uses to clip your hair.
So what is the best beard trimmer for guys to use in 2020? With all these factors in mind, here are 11 of our favorite beard trimmers to help you get that facial hair under control.
1. Phillips Norelco MultiGroom Series 7000 Beard Trimmer
BEST OVERALL
Regardless of whether or not you’re responsible for trimming your beard during quarantine or just want a solution to keep it maintained in-between professional cuts, the Phillips Norelco Multigroom beard trimmer (part of the MG line of Phillips Norelcos) should be your top pick. Phillips Norelco beard trimmers are trusted by countless bearded men for their durable construction and advanced features. Created with self-sharpening blades to ensure a close shave for years to come, this cordless beard trimmer offers precision trimming. Its wireless battery stays charged for up to six hours of constant use, so one charge will have you set for quite a while.
To provide as many styling options as possible, the Phillips Norelco Series 7000 comes with 24 attachments. The 24-piece grooming kit offers all kinds of options for you to style your facial hair (not to mention nose and ear hair, if necessary) and the steel frame and rubber grips allow you to really get in there to get the look you want. Because this top-rated beard trimmer has such glowing reviews from customers, it’s also increasingly hard to find. If you can find this beard trimmer in stock, order it while you can.
Buy: Phillips Norelco Series 7000 Beard Trimmer $54.99
2. Braun BT7240 Beard Trimmer Kit
BEST VALUE
In need of an affordable but fully complete, one-stop, barbershop replacement? Look no further than this full shaving set from Braun. The German company is one of the biggest names in men’s grooming, and the brand has a ton of beard trimmers and electric razors to choose from. The Art of Shaving currently has a great deal on the Braun BT7220, but you can get the latest version of this top-rated beard trimmer for just a few dollars more on Amazon right now.
As one of the best adjustable beard trimmers, this grooming tool uses a combination of a blade adjustment dial and hair clipping attachments to provide additional styling options. The precision dial provides 39 different length settings in 0.5 mm increments. Two additional clip-on attachments allow for medium-length beard styling. This smart trimmer even senses the thickness of your beard to adjust the motor power as needed. The ultra-sharp, German-engineered blades stay sharp for years on end. Finally, like the best beard trimmers, this product is fully washable for easy cleanup. Braun even throws in a free Gillette Fusion Pro Glide razor for good measure.
Capable of styling both longer and shorter beards, this is a powerful beard trimmer for a great price. Considering everything you get, it’s amazing that this beard trimmer only costs $70.
Buy: Braun BT 7240 Beard Trimmer $69.94
3. Panasonic ER-GB96-K Beard Styling Trimmer
BEST BEARD TRIMMER FOR LONG BEARDS
Panasonic makes a ton of electric shavers and beard trimmers, including some of the most well-reviewed products on the market. That can make it difficult to choose the right option for you. However, men with longer beards should choose the Panasonic ER-GB96 model. Unlike the Arc5 featured below, the GB series is designed for hair trimming rather than shaving. The GB96 is reasonably priced for a premium beard trimmer at $100, and you get everything you need for everyday facial hair grooming with this product.
The quick adjustment dial lets you clip hair at lengths between 0.5 to 30 mm, providing an incredible 58 different precision settings. In addition, four comb attachments are included for styling mustaches and other types of facial hair. This beard trimmer is also 100% waterproof, which means you can even use it in the shower. Finally, like the best beard trimmers, the Panasonic GB96 can go fully cordless for up to an hour.
4. Panasonic GB40 Beard Trimmer
AMAZON’S CHOICE
With more than 5,700 reviews, a 4.2-star rating and the Amazon’s Choice award, this is one of the best rated beard trimmers on Amazon. Pansonic’s cordless beard trimmer is a great option for those who want to go with a tried-and-true selection. In addition to being practical, the rubber grip also helps to provide a suave-looking finish that’s only matched by how good you’ll look and feel when you’re done trimming.
This isn’t the newest or fanciest trimmer available on the men’s grooming market in 2020, but this is a reliable and durable trimmer with a range of attractive features. The length adjustment dial provides 19 different precision settings, which means you don’t have to worry about blade attachments. While it’s not fully waterproof like some premium beard trimmers, it can be easily washed with water. This trimmer can also go totally cordless, which makes it easier to use and ideal for travel.
Buy: Panasonic Beard Trimmer $46.49
5. Remington PG6171 The Crafter Electric Beard Trimmer
BEST ATTACHMENTS
There’s a lot to love about the Remington Crafter, which is a great all-in-one trimmer. While many cordless beard trimmers can hold a charge for up to an hour, the Remington PG6171 can run for three hours on a single charge. Plus, the quick charge feature lets you start grooming after just five minutes of charging. This cordless trimmer is also fully waterproof, which makes both styling and cleaning a breeze.
However, we really like The Crafter for its wide variety of attachments. While some other beard trimmers have more length options, this trimmer features 11 different attachments to meet all of your grooming needs. There’s a foil shaver for any areas you want to keep clean shaven, a detail trimmer, ear and nose hair trimmers, and an eyebrow trimmer. With both an adjustable trimmer and five additional comb attachments, The Crafter provides just the right combination of convenience, precision and affordability.
Buy: Remington PG6171 The Crafter $44.66
6. Wahl Groomsman Rechargeable Beard Trimmer – Model 5622
BUDGET PICK
When you can finally return to your barber, there’s a good chance the clippers he or she will use to trim your hair were made by Wahl. The brand makes some of the best professional hair clippers and grooming tools for men, and the brand’s always popular Color Pro haircutting kit is easily one of the best beard trimmers — when you can find it in stock.
While Wahl makes a lot of high quality professional barber tools, their consumer beard and stubble trimmers can be a mixed bag. Recent cordless models from Wahl have gotten very mixed reviews. However, the Groomsman rechargeable beard trimmer from Wahl is a top-rated product that provides all the tools you need to style your beard. Plus, it only costs $20 on Amazon, which is an incredible value.
The stainless steel blades stay sharp for an extended period of time. The attachments let you choose from 14 different beard lengths up to 1/2 inches, longer than most comparable beard trimmers. While this trimmer is not 100% waterproof, you can rinse the blades clean. For the money, it’s hard to find a better hair cutting system.
Buy: Panasonic Beard Trimmer $46.49
7. Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor
BEST MULTI-USE
The hassle of an electric beard trimmer is that, well, not a lot of them are meant to be used in or around water. That’s not the case with the Panasonic ARC 5-Blade beard trimmer, as it has been designed to handle the elements without you getting shocked. Yes, that means you can even use it in the shower without worry. As evidenced by its name, the five-blade trimmer can totally replace traditional shaving, giving you an incredible smooth finish or a super precise cut around your existing facial hair. If you switch back and forth from clean-shaven to bearded and you need a grooming tool that can act as both a beard trimmer and an electric shaver, then this is your best bet.
Not only does this product provide a close, clean shave, but it also features a pop-up beard trimmer for facial hair styling. However, this all-in-one trimmer is designed for precision trimming, not full-on beard grooming. If you have a long beard that needs regular trimming, this isn’t your best option.
Buy: Panasonic Arc5 Electric Razor $146.98
8. Remington PG6250 WetTech
MOST DIVERSE
If you want to ensure you have all the potential options, this Remington offers options to allow you to shave all parts of your body should you desire. With its textured rubber handle, you won’t need to worry about losing your grip as there’s plenty of support there. Additionally, the shaver can be used in the shower, as it is 100% waterproof.
For a trimmer under $30, this product has an impressive battery life. With the lithium ion battery fully charged, this trimmer can last for 70 minutes. The versatility here, for the price, makes it a more than compelling option. This hair trimmer comes with five blade attachments in various sizes.
Buy: Remington PG6250 WetTech $26.38
9. Wahl Travel Cordless Beard Trimmer
BEST TRAVEL BEARD TRIMMER
When you want to look your best on the road, without having to pack your whole facial hair grooming setup, then reach for this travel beard trimmer from Wahl. Compact and cordless, it’s perfectly well-suited for inclusion in a dopp kit or even sitting around loose in a carry-on. The high-carbon steel blades stay sharp so you won’t have to worry about them fading in-between uses. Plus, the cleaning brush makes it so all of those little hairs are easily swept away. Great for a little touch-up before a big client dinner, it packs a lot of power in a small and convenient package.
Buy: Wahl Travel Cordless Beard Trimmer $14.22
10. Bevel Beard Trimmer
BEST SPLURGE
If you’re constantly maintaining your beard and want professional-level quality without having to leave your home, Bevel’s beard trimmer is worth the investment. The weight of the trimmer itself is perfectly balanced to help you effectively navigate the contours of your face with ease. Speaking of ease, the blades have been designed to avoid overheating, which provides further comfort to your skin. The cord can be removed or kept in, depending on your personal preference. Finally, the blades themselves are easy to clean and can be easily adjusted to fit the level of trim you want. These technical features and sleek design drive up the price a bit, but Bevel’s beard trimmer is easily the Rolls Royce of electric shavers.
However, while the Bevel Beard Trimmer provides ultra-precise lines when trimming hair, it’s not designed to be used for longer beards. No comb attachments come with the Bevel, which means it’s unequipped to trim long beards. Rather, this is a precision shaver and trimmer for careful shaving and edge control.
Buy: Bevel Cordless Beard Trimmer $186.47
11. Barbasol Beard Trimmer
ALSO CONSIDER
If you need a beard trimmer that’s just going to get the job, with no frills, this Barbasol beard trimmer is a great budget option. While it doesn’t offer a variety of the clips that other trimmers provide, it does have built-in adjustable settings to tailor your trim a little bit more to your individualized liking. Boasting eight hours of use from a 30-minute charge, this trimmer is great if you’re looking to save a bit of time using a razor blade or if you don’t care too much about shaping your facial hair in an exactly precise way.
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