The Best Beard Trimmers of 2024

Almost every man on the planet grows some semblance of facial hair. And the maintenance options are pretty straightforward—shave it off or grow and maintain. The latter has become an increasingly popular option, and for good reason: a well-shaped beard can enhance a weak chin and jawline, hide weight gain or simply reduce the pain and frustration of wet-shaving. Having the right beard trimmer can drastically improve your day-to-day beard grooming needs.

In our testing, we found that the Wahl Lithium Ion+ Stainless-steel Trimmer With Grooming Kit (available at Amazon for $73.81) is the best option for most people. Its overall performance and supportive accessories truly separated it almost entirely from the pack.

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Other Beard Trimmers We Tested

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How We Test Beard Trimmers

Craig Whitely, professionally known as Craig the Barber, has been a professional barber for almost 15 years and has been practicing the trade since the age of 14. His experience in the space of barbering has opened up opportunities to consult with Fortune 500 Skincare and Grooming brands, educate and train future beauty students and provide men’s grooming content for national magazines. He is the founder and CEO of his namesake and award-winning shaving and skincare line—Burke Avenue by Craig the Barber, and he advocates for consumers in the men’s grooming space.

We tested these beard trimmers to the test on four different guys with beards. Over the course of three weeks, each beard trimmer in this guide was tested on its ability to create clean lines (sharpness), their ability to remove hair quickly (power), and their durability (dropped ‘em). If the trimmer in question was waterproof, it was used in the shower and also dropped into a full sink of water while on for three minutes. That was a pretty fun test, with the added benefit of great barbershop conversation with my volunteers.

• Robbie (early 20’s) - thick and straight (virtually no curl); full beard growth on three-quarters of his face with the remaining areas fairly sparse.
• Francisco (late 30’s) - curly and fine (thin); full face beard growth with greater beard density on the chin and mustache.
• Me (early 40’s) - thick and overly-curly; full beard growth capable. However, I sport a Van Dyke (mustache and chin hair).
• Anthony - (late 60’s) - salt & pepper, thick combination beard-type (curly and straight). Full-face beard growth.

FAQ

Whether you’re growing facial hair or simply wanting to maintain your hairstyle in-between barber visits, a beard trimmer is a great tool to have handy in your grooming kit. However, there are many options to choose from, including cordless, waterproof, and vacuum trimmers. Knowing how you want to use your trimmer will be very helpful in your decision-making.

What should you look for in a beard trimmer?

Once you know what kind of trimmer you want, here are the three most important boxes to check before making a long-term commitment.

Blade sharpness: The sharper the blades, the more versatile your trimmer will be. You may need it for creating beard lines, shaping long beards, cleaning up necklines, evening sideburns, and more. The bottom line is making sure that your new trimmer can effectively create a close beard trim (level "zero"). If it can also do this on all hair types, it’s a stand-out winner.

Motor power: The more power, the more effective and efficient your job will be. Combine this with sharp blades and you have a trimmer that will deliver every time.

Durability: If you’re going to spend the money on a beard trimmer, you want it to last. While most people won’t be putting it through the same paces a professional barber will, odds are you’re still going to reach for it pretty often. It needs to hold up over time.

Accessories: Trimmers are generally the most popular purchases for men when it comes to grooming. The more supportive the accessories, the better options you’ll have for maintaining your beard and even the hair on your head.

A healthy assortment of guide comb attachments is essential to a well-kept beard. They help your beard trimmer maintain a uniform length, and can also provide versatility for blending. The most helpful guide combs lengths are 1/16” - 5/8”.

Additional accessories can include brow and precision detail trimmers, nose and ear trimmers, and even an electric shaver replacement head that can help with the details that make your beard stand out. You may also find cleaning brushes, oil, or a carrying case.

How To Use A Beard Trimmer

To use a beard trimmer, simply turn it on and place the base of the blades onto the surface of the skin. Allow the blades to gently move across your face.

Whether you are starting from the neck-up or cheekbone-down, the removal of hair should essentially be the same. Consider overlapping the last area trimmed to guarantee consistent beard length.

What Size Beard Trimmer Do I Need?

Guide combs help you set a length setting for your beard trimmer. If you need to use your trimmers with guide combs as part of your grooming regime:

• Always choose the highest setting comb guard first in an effort to achieve the desired length. This will prevent you from taking too much off at the outset. Adjust to the next lowest setting to go shorter until the desired length is achieved.
• Start from the base of the neck and trim upwards (towards the chin), and go against the grain (opposite direction your beard hair grows).
• Always overlap the last area trimmed to guarantee consistent beard length.
• Once you have achieved the desired length, the final step is to make sure your mustache is neat and not hanging over your lip. Position the trimmer at the center of the mustache and start at the lip line, where the hair tends to “overhang.” Carefully continue to trim toward the outer edges of the mustache as you follow the outline of the top lip as a guide.

How To Maintain A Beard Trimmer?

There are three super important steps to maintaining your beard trimmer:

1. Get the hair out: Although most of the brushes included with beard trimmers are pretty flimsy, cleaning out all of the hair after each use will keep these brushes effective. Some trimmers are capable of being submerged in water. If this is the case, take advantage of this extra benefit. Just remember, a clean trimmer is a reliable trimmer.
2. Keep it oiled: Similar to the pistons in a car engine, if these blades work for long periods without being oiled, they will become less effective. Consider oiling them after each use or following the manufacturer’s instructions. For me, it is easier to determine when I have problems with my trimmers if I consistently keep them oiled. This includes the waterproof trimmers that say otherwise.
3. Store in a dry place: Like all electrical devices, long-term exposure to moisture can pose a problem down the road with potential rust or other types of erosion. A dry place is pivotal in maintaining reliable trimmers.

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