10 Best Beard Trimmers Will Keep Your Scruff Shaped Up in the New Year

Updated 12/5/2024: Every guy needs the best beard trimmer for his situation—which is why they make such great gifts. Whether he grows it patchy, keeps it perma-stubbled, or is as lustrous as the A-List beards, a trimmer is mandatory in every beard kit. And not all beard trimmers are alike, which is why the best one for your facial hair style may be different from the next guy’s.

I tested a bunch of beard trimmers to deliver you a real who’s who of men’s grooming devices. This list reflects a range of options—some multitaskers, some detailers; some top-shelf, some a better buy for lower budgets. I made sure to include something for everyone on this list—including some top choices for 2024 holiday gifting ideas. Above all, though, I ask you this: Make sure that the device you choose allows your beard to reach its full potential. That doesn’t mean you need a big bushy beard, but rather, you should be able to achieve whichever style (or a suite of styles) you want to wear over the next few years—which is the minimum amount of time any of these devices should last. Ideally, they’ll hum on for 5-10 years, anyhow.

• The Best Beard Trimmer Overall: Philips Norelco Multigroom All-in-One 9000 Series, $90 $70 (22% off)
• The Best Value Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom All-in-One 5000 Series, $40 $30 (25% off)
• The Best Budget Beard Trimmer: Hatteker 5-in-1 Beard Trimmer Kit, $38 $30 (21% off)
• The Best Upgrade Beard Trimmer: Braun All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 9440, $130 $95 (27% off)
• The Best Professional-Grade Beard Trimmer: Wahl Pro Series High Visibility Cordless Trimmer, $150
• The Best Vacuum Beard Trimmer: Remington Vacuum Beard Trimmer, $60
• The Best for Lineups and Edges: Andis Slimline Pro Li Trimmer, $75 $63 (16% off)
• The Best Waterproof Trimmer: Supply Trimmer, $69 $59 (14% off)
• The Best Trimmer/Shaver Hybrid: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Electric Trimmer and Shaver, $50 $40 (20% off)
• The Best Trimmer/Clipper Hybrid: Bevel Trimmer SE, $100 $93 (7% off)
• The Best Detail Trimmer: Wahl Micro Groomsman, $10 $9 (8% off)

Here are the best beard trimmers for gifting this year, after I tested pretty much every last one of them. (And while you’re at it, consider my rosters of other grooming tools, from razors and electric shavers, to manscapers and hair clippers.)

No sense in burying the headline: Philips Norelco’s Multigroom 9000 Series is, hands down, the best beard trimmer you can buy. And that’s before factoring in how much more it can do than just keep your facial hair in check than other electric razors that are found in your everyday grooming kit. (It’s also recently been renamed the “All-in-One 9000” but answers to both names.)

For the last 5 or 6 years, this has been my single go-to trimmer. Everything else is trying to dethrone it, and so far, no true contest has emerged. In terms of customization and power, this device checks all of the boxes.

It all starts with the beating heart: "The Multigroom does not compromise on power or battery life, and it's very intuitive to use," says Fellow Barber’s Head of Education Emily Clark. The battery life truly over-delivers: your mileage may vary since Philips Norelco only claims a (still impressive) six hours of charge, but I got a ridiculous 17 hours of consecutive runtime fresh out of the box, thanks to a lithium ion battery. Speaking of the box, there’s a lot in there, all of it useful.

Between the small tooth-like detail attachment and foil shaving head, the Multigroom 9000 makes it easy to style and sculpt with precision. One trimmer even adjusts by tenths of a millimeter to help you get the perfect designer stubble, if that's your aim.

And that’s just its beard trimming bona fides. The Multigroom 9000 is also a solid hair trimmer (shout out to that brawny motor and battery again) and body hair trimmer as well. Covering off for three products, and doing it well, suddenly makes the $90 price tag look like a deal.

Long-term testing notes: Wouldn’t you know it… I lost the beloved little shaver on this one recently. Heartbreak. (Yeah, I can test a new one, but I realize now how much of my love for it is pinned on that micro shaving attachment.) I stand by the fact that it’s the best on the market, but without that shaver, the window has opened for me to spend time with other devices, like the Braun below. Let this be a lesson: Don’t unpack your Phillips Norelco all-in-one in a hotel room without carefully auditing every single piece when you pack it up again.

Given how much I love the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, it’s no surprise that the more affordable model, the Multigroom 5000, is my budget choice to keep things manscaped. It offers most of the same steel-bladed precision and customization benefits as its fancier family member, albeit in a less durable body (plastic instead of stainless steel) and half the battery life. Still, its a three-hour battery power beast that bests many beard trimmers twice the price. And the lighter plastic body is nice for travel. The Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000 is great for anyone on a budget, but it’s not “budget."

Whereas other lower-priced beard trimmers can’t handle precise detailing, the Multigroom 5000 includes a detail trimmer and nose trimmer, not to mention hair clipper and body trimmer guards for versatility. It does lack the shaving detailer and the body shaver (as does the in-between 7000 model), which is important to note if you want that level of customization and don’t otherwise own a detail shaver that you also rely upon for bare-faced stretches of facial real estate. For this reason, I find it a little less perfect across the board compared to the 9000, but the price-to-precision ratio is hard to match. And if you want a great value above all—and a straightforward beard trimmer—meet your optimal Multigroom, the 5000.

Long-term testing notes: Recently, I used the 5000 consistently, and got quite cozy with it. Sure, it lacked the key shaving features of the 9000, but I think this is truly the best value device in the game when you only want a trimmer. Terrific muscle, terrific customization, great endurance. Five stars for this one.

Hatteker is a surprise of a buy—it’s that “out of left field” Amazon brand that most of us recognize by name, despite not knowing anyone who uses it. This all-in-one kit covers every kind of hair-trimming task, from lineups to sideburns to beards, eyebrows, and body hair. What's more, its a hair cutting machine for full beards and stubble alike with multiple plastic guards. I bought the tool with little expectations for quality and care, but was consistently surprised at how well it held its own compared to the more reputable brands.

This device won’t win any design awards and certainly hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but most consumers won’t care about that stuff; they want a good beard trimmer that meets all their grooming needs, and Hatteker’s checks all of those boxes. I do wish its detailing trimmer was a bit narrower, but that’s me minding some very fine details. It’s also not up to the same quality as, say, Philips, Andis, Braun, Wahl, etc, but it’s also not low quality either. For $40, you get your money’s worth, especially considering that LED battery display and vast range of trimming lengths and clipping attachments. It’s still a great option if you’re not looking to spend a lot, or if our other best value winner, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000 Series, is out of stock.

Long-term testing notes: Every time I bring this one out, I am amused by how surprisingly great it is. It goes to show that those Amazon reviews really are one of the most accurate depictions of value; I long wrote the brand off because of its non-image compared to the big names, but in terms of performance and return on spend, Hatteker really clears the bar. Granted, I’m not using most of these devices more than a few times a quarter (since by and large I stick with my own favorites or test new ones) but my Hatteker remains strong and sturdy and has endurance, some three years after I first acquired it.

Like the Philips Norelco Multigroom models, Braun's All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 is a jack-of-all-trades option that can do far more than tidy up your beard; the box is packed with a nose and ear trimmer, a precision head, and longer guards, too. But what separates this trimmer from the rest of the pack is the built-in dial that offers 40 trim-length settings. It’s top-notch precision in minimalist packaging. I think it’s the only real contender for the top spot on this list—perhaps that price and slightly less enduring battery are its shortcomings compared to the Philips Norelco 9000, but I do find it a superior device in terms of ease and design.

Where other devices require you to swap out different heads or attachments, or ask you to pick between bigger length gaps than you’d prefer, Braun’s Series 9 offers half-millimeter increments from 0.5 to 20 without having to futz with extra accessories. In my testing, that made the trimmer the most user-friendly device on this list—no swapping guards as you fade your beard or neckline. Plus, the Series 9 is fully waterproof for those of you shaving-in-the-shower fans looking to speedrun your morning regimen. (And I’ll admit, shaving in the shower certainly makes clean-up—of both the beard hair mess and the trimmer—faster and easier.)

Bottom line, Braun’s All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 is exactly what the name promises. If it seems a little expensive, that’s because a beard trimmer that can handle all these tasks, and handle them well, isn’t cheap.

Long-term testing notes: Like I said above, this one has been getting lots more mileage from me lately, and I am so pleased with that fact. I absolutely adore how easy it is to navigate between the smallest minutiae of trimming lengths without swapping guard heads, and that detail shaver has been so clutch at keeping my neckline, cheeks, and beard perimeter cleaned up. My one complaint from a recent trip was that it’s quite difficult to repack everything into the carrying case, if you bring along all attachment heads. Besides that… perfect grooming tool.

Wahl is a pedigreed name in the professional and home grooming worlds, but that doesn’t mean it’s done innovating. Its new High Visibility trimmer has a killer app: the trimming attachment is angled so the teeth sit “above” the base, letting you get eyes on the action in the mirror as you mow through facial hair. It’s maybe not a priority if you’re just doing leisurely trims, but if you’re trying to get the perfect line at your cheek, sideburns, or neck, that little bit of offset is a godsend.

Suddenly I’m seeing very clearly exactly where the blade is hitting. If you’ve ever had to drop that cheek line too far down or do the back-and-forth thing with your burns, you’ll recognize what a game changer this is. The Wahl High Visibility trimmer’s laser-pointer precision is boosted by some of the best ergonomics in the game. The body’s relatively thin with an excellent rubber grip, which lets you hit difficult angles like a professional pool player. The High Visibility trimmer is new to the market, but I’m betting it’ll become a barber favorite—and yours, too, if you’re doing daily touch-ups to keep those lines looking sharp.

Long-term testing notes: I find myself using this more often as a detail trimmer than a full-on trimmer—probably most comparable to the Andis Slimline on this list. I think it’s a fantastic trimmer through and through, but I pull it from the bullpen as a closer; that’s where I hold it mostly in my mind—and happily!

Vacuum trimmers keep you from having dozens of errant clippings dropped amongst your sink-ledge grooming products. But this one is more than just a vacuum—it has a detailing and edgework attachment and can trim up to 18 mm with a line-drawing detail head that rivals most T-blade trimmers. While it feels noticeably less sturdy and powerful than the others on this list, Remington's trimmer has no performance issues and even holds a decent 90-minute runtime.

While this may be the last significant vacuum trimmer left standing, it is for good reason: Remington's trimmer saves you tons of time and stress by sucking up the majority of your facial hair shearings—up to 95% of clippings, according to the brand (I'd posit it's more like 85%, but hey, that's still a huge win). To me, it’s the obvious choice if your roommate or s/o constantly complains about clippings on the sink ledge, no matter how much you try to clean up after the fact. Perhaps Remington’s device can actually save your relationship? That’s a stretch, but it would make for a not-too-passive-aggressive gift from said s/o to the bearded fellow in question.

Long-term testing notes: My one-time favorite trimmer was a vacuum device from Philips Norelco, which they discontinued. And for a long time, I was crushed, because I so loved that one. I thought that Remington would be my new mainstay, and as much as I really like it, I just don’t get the same mileage out of it as that previous PN model. I can’t say why; it certainly checks all the same boxes and I find it extremely customizable and easy to clean up. I don’t mean to do them a disservice here, but I think the competition has grown stiffer in the past five or so years, which might also explain the dearth of vacuum options. Still, I stand by the fact that this is a great device, and delivers on its promises.

This is an industry-staple device—just ask any barber or professional groomer.  Andis makes dozens of professional-grade tools that the pros swear by, with powerful motors and sharp stainless steel blades (that you can also replace easily if they rust or dull). But perhaps none is as ubiquitous as this one. It’s certainly a staple in my grooming kit, as the go-to detailer for neck, cheeks, burns, and mustache.

A frequent collaborator of mine, celebrity groomer Melissa DeZarate, has at least two of the Slimline Pro on her at all times. "I'll use it to reshape beards or provide a larger trim," she says, adding that it’s powerful but “small enough to handle most detail work and shaving off length.” Longer beards need not apply: the Slimline Pro’s four included guides only range from 1/16” to 3/8”—but if that works for you, it’ll give you a barber-caliber line-up along the cheeks, sideburns, mustache, and neck. And along the back of your hairline along the neck, too—though we’d suggest calling in a steady-handed significant other or best friend to do the work for you.

Long-term testing notes: This one is so nice, I got a second device. (Just like DeZarate.) Not because I expect the first one to crap out, but because Andis launched a galaxy purple one and I knew I wanted to have that in rotation; now I can expect my treasured Slimline(s) to last twice as long with half as much individual usage, since I have them in routine rotation for neckline, cheek line, mustache, and sideburn cleanups. A+ device right here—ask any barber!

This thing shaves. It trims. It manages edgework. It buffs stubble. It can tackle beard and body alike, wet or dry, and is easy to maneuver top-down, around the torso, or over the shoulder. That makes it especially suited for the guy who wants to tidy up quickly in the shower (though, if you’re mining finer details, I urge you to do so at the sink ledge with an unfogged mirror). Still, if you want one tool in your grooming kit to manage just about every imaginable taks, Supply’s is it. It feels muscled up, it has a beveled grip for a no-slip cleaning, and with just a single trimmer guard it offers 13 different trim lengths (including the guardless shave).

I find it among the easier to tote in the dopp kit on weekends or long trips away, too; it is both sleek and compact enough—though, if you plan on traveling for a while, do not forget to tote that induction charge stand; it’s the only way to juice up the trimmer.

Long-term testing notes: This one is relatively new to me, so “long term” is more “medium term” here, but, I just traveled with this one on a four-day work trip, and appreciated that it toted light, drew those clean lines on me, and made it easy to detail around my mustache and lower lips, since I wear different facial hair lengths around there; every day of the trip, I was exactly as presentable and camera-ready as I needed to be. I think this one is finally giving Philips Norelco’s OneBlade a run for its money in the hybrid shaver-trimmer field.

One more Philips Norelco device, for good measure and good reason: This tool is adored by both our expert source and me: I love the OneBlade for its ability to switch between trimmer, shaver, T-blade, and body groomer with aplomb. I think it's one of the best-designed tools in facial hair care right now, and a dozen other brands are releasing dupes to chase the same high.

“I appreciate how affordable it is and how easy it is to find at drugstores since so many clients ask me where to buy it because they love it too,” says DeZarate. “There was one week where I needed to buy three of the OneBlade for different clients during press events, so that they were able to actually travel home with it because they loved how easy it is to use and that it's universal. It does a really nice job at creating clean lines and is great for sensitive skin.”

This one is easy to torque in different directions, too, allowing its shaving function to act like a T-blade trimmer while also offering familiar cartridge-shave movement for anyone who wants an entirely clean mug or simple a neckline tidy up. Get one with the body grooming attachment, too, and you could have an all-in-one grooming device for all facial and manscaping needs; it really does it all with that one singular blade.

Long-term testing notes: Like DeZarate, I frequently reach for this guy to mind the details; it’s an easy tag-along for any trips (especially if I need some body trimming all the while) and will certainly be with me on a big 3-month trip I have to take soon; it’s a terrific head-to-toe customizer, though I don’t necessarily rely on it when I’m at home and have dedicated devices for each task. It is a terrific middle ground pick, for the guy who wants things streamlined.

Bevel's latest launch is perhaps its simplest yet: Here is a plastic-shelled, equally sturdy take on the brand’s classic clipper/trimmer hybrid—that iconic, geometric dream of a device that many barbers have adapted as their go-to pro tool. This one feels more equipped for the at-home user, given its more lightweight nature. (I’m not sure if it’s a selling point for me to say “this one won’t break your foot if you accidentally drop it on there”; try not to run that experiment, though.)

If you want an ultra-close lineup, this one can even be zero-gapped; that is a +1 for barbers too, who may be in search of a more standard-fare trimmer/clipper that can manage a clean fade. (Its 4-hour battery span will appeal to those same barbers, and everyday consumers alike). This one still has a heft and quality compared to other tools in the category, so if any other brand released the device, I’d consider it their primo offering. Since it’s Bevel, though—and since their usual tool is so top shelf—this one is a clear paring down for the guy who needs less. You won’t get the digital or adjustable options from their most luxe clipper, but you can buy any of their usual attachments and trimmers and swap them in here, too. (Note, those are all sold separately; this one really is the simplest, most standard option. When you buy it, it is just the trimmer on its own, with the standard trimming plate.)

Long-term testing notes: Truth be told, I haven’t had this one very long, so I can’t yet tell you about how it holds up over a year or two. However, I do find myself thinking of it every few days, like “damn that’s a great trimmer, and I’m really glad Bevel made their expensive, hefty barber clipper more available to at-home users”. Seriously, these are the kinds of thoughts I have as a grooming writer, and I mean it. I am really very grateful that this product is on the market, and I consider it a capstone launch of 2024.

While a lot of grooming devices have detailing attachments, sometimes it’s easy to get a dedicated tool that keeps you cleaned up for days at a time; it could save you from needing to bring an entire trimmer on a weekend away. This small but mighty pen is a lifesaver when it comes to minding the finer details: It helps draw the straightest, cleanest edges around your facial hair perimeter, almost like you’re using a Hedge Master for your whiskers. I’ll often spot-check long strays as well, or even clean up the hair that starts growing over my ears in the weeks after a trim. It’s also simple to tidy up mustache overgrowth, as well as the random eyebrow that grows twice as long as its brethren.

I will say, though, that it is worth its price. This tool is rather fragile and easy to total; I snapped apart its mouth once by simply opening it with moderate force (in an attempt to clean out the hair clippings inside). Just go gentle; I had a few years’ of time with that particular tool, so I didn’t feel bad about replacing it—the cost is easy to justify, I think.

Long-term testing notes: Real talk: This one is a bit fragile, so I did have to replace it once this year. But for the cost, I think it’s justifiable that it only lasts a couple years at a time. (I accidentally snapped the swinging-door mechanism of the detail trimmer, oops.)Be careful with yours!

You want a beard trimmer that’s simple, effective, and doesn’t come with useless features or add-ons. Here are a few features to consider when looking for a great beard trimmer.

I’ve been a grooming editor since 2013, and I’m constantly testing products, including the best (and not-quite-best) beard trimmers, shavers, and hair clippers (as well as skin, hair, and hygiene products). My favorite is (and has been, since 2021) the Philips Norelco Multigroom, and I use that beard trimmer as my measuring stick for other beard trimmers across factors like customization, cost, durability, power, ease of use, and more.

As a longtime professional reviewer, I often test products before they come to market. Given beard trimmers are products that should last for 5-to-10 years, I’m conservative in my approach. There are plenty of innovations, but many reinvent the wheel in a way we don’t actually need. I’ll keep testing beard trimmers, month after month, and I’ll be eager to let you know if something new impresses me enough to make it onto GQ’s best beard trimmers list.

Emily Clark is Head of Education at Fellow Barber and a Senior Barber at Fellow’s SoHo NYC barbershop.

Melissa DeZarate is a celebrity groomer whose clients include Matt Damon, Kenan Thompson, Matt Bomer, and Taika Waititi.