21 Best Beard Trimmer Picks, Tested by GQ Editors in 2025 | GQ

Jul 01, 2025

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Every guy needs the best beard trimmer for his situation. 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. 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.

Here are the best beard trimmers—including a few that are marked down as early Amazon Prime Day deals—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.)

Philips Norelco

Amazon

Walmart

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 Philips Norelco all-in-one in a hotel room without carefully auditing every single piece when you pack it up again.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 21, including nose and hair trimmer, detailer, body trimmer | Run time: 6 hours | Charge time: 3 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.5-16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 8 years

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

"This trimmer is great! It comes with so many attachments to use for your trimming needs. The battery lasts a long time, i have yet to have to charge mine and i've had it for a few months now.

The trimmer is super quiet as well as very well made. It's all made up of metal, not plastic, and feels like it will last a long time. It's fairly lightweight and easy to handle when [using] it. It also comes with a small cleaning brush that makes cleaning it up a breeze!"

Philips Norelco

Amazon

Walmart

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.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 18 including beard trimmer, nose and hair trimmer, detailer, body trimmer | Run time: 3 hours | Charge time: 70 minutes | Trimming lengths: 0.5-16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 5 years

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

"This Phillips/Norelco trimmer works great. It is very quiet, the battery life is pretty long and it does exactly what I need it to do. It comes with a lot of attachments - haven’t used them all, but the ones I have used worked just fine. This is a good quality trimmer."

Hatteker

Amazon

Walmart

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.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 5 trimming and clipping heads with various guards | Run time: 90 minutes | Charge time: 90 minutes | Trimming lengths: 0.5-10mm, 12, 14, 16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: none

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

"The trimmer is easy to use and the charge lasts a very long time. I have not had to recharge since the initial charge after taking it out of the box, trimming bi-weekly. It is not heavy. It’s easy to handle. They adjustment guides stay where you select. I don’t worry about them shifting during use. Beard maintenance is an easy job with this.”

Braun

Braun

Tested by Adam Hurly, Video by Tyler Chin

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.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 13 including a mini foil shaver, body trimmer, T-blade and adjustable beard comb | Run time: 3 hours | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.5-20mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 2 Years

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

“Before this trimmer came into my life, I made a couple of cheap purchases. The style I like it's 1mm overall with a 2mm on my chin and 2.5 on my mustache. The problem was the other trimmers could not handle it on a daily basis. I am the type of guy whose beard grows back really fast, so I'd trim my beard. Then, the next day, you could see clear growth, and when I tried to do it again, it just wouldn't trim the same. I'd end up hurting my face a little bit. Not this trimmer. This trimmer can handle my beard on a daily basis without hurting my face. It's that good and efficient. It's built for heavy performance and durability. For the first time I am able to maintain my beard on a daily basis.”

Wahl

Amazon

Walmart

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!

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 13 including an exposed T-blade for error-proof cleanups, plus a swappable nose hair trimmer and dual foil shaver | Run time: Up to 2 hours | Charge time: 2 hour charge time | Trimming lengths: 1.5-13mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 5 years

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

"Absolutely amazing product. Heavy, rock-solid construction makes the hand feel confident, has great ergonomics, and has a solid grip even when the hand is soapy. But the best part is the forever blade makes it easy to see what’s getting cut, even with guard on (I used the 2). Most precise edge for a jawbone line beard I’ve ever had. And with the guard, it combs as it cuts with the grain of the hair, keeping stray whiskers knocked down. I’ve been pinched/cut before with fatter spaced blade rakes, but I didn’t feel threatened trimming under the nose."

Remington

Amazon

Walmart

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.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 1 adjustable comb | Run time: 1.5 hours | Charge time: 1.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 2-18mm | Warranty: 60 days | Waterproof: Yes

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

"This is fantastic. Over the years I have gone through many different kinds and even a few other brands that offer a vacuum function but this one is by far the best. The edger works great. The attachments are also very sturdy. I charge it maybe every two weeks or more and I use it just about every day. Easy to empty out, and it grabs a good amount of the hair so it’s not a big mess to clean ups. I absolutely recommend getting this.”

MANSCAPED

Amazon

No attachments; no problem. For a beard trimmer that can only do one thing (but is damn good at doing that), Manscaped's Beard Hedger will make light work out of the bushiest, burliest beards. Its zoom wheel controller lets you dial in the comb's length between .5 and 10 millimeters for even shaves, while the waterproof construction means you can shower and shave to save time on your morning or nighttime rituals. The built-in comb is great for picking up hairs that are stuck to your face so that every strand gets whacked, because few things are more unsightly than stray long hairs poking out from an otherwise well-groomed beard.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: None | Run time: 60 minutes | Trimming lengths: 0.5-10 mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 90 days

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

“I've owned maybe 5 or 6 beard trimmers over the last 15 years. Make no mistake, this is the most expensive, but hands down it's also the best (that includes competition from Braun, Philips Norelco and Wahl). The quality is the first thing you notice as soon as you unbox it - the feel of the handle and the quality of the blade, even down to the USB charging cable which doesn't have the usual cheapness you'd expect from an accessory that's something of an afterthought.”

Bevel

Amazon

Tested by Timothy Beck Werth

If you’re researching beard trimmers, you’ll see the term “zero-gap” a lot. So, what’s a zero-gap trimmer? A zero-gap trimmer cuts as close to the skin as possible, effectively a 0mm cutting length. That can make them dangerous for novices, as you can easily cut your skin or ears while you trim. But for the highest possible level of precision, that’s what you want. (The Bevel Trimmer can also be adjusted so it has a slightly longer taper.)

This trimmer was designed by Black men, for Black men, and damn does it look good. It’s a work of art that design lovers will appreciate. This sculptural device will look mighty impressive on your bathroom counter and feels phenomenal in your hand. It’s a true barber-quality trimmer, perfect for guys with curly or Afro-textured hair. It’s also one of the most powerful trimmers for home use, with a 6,000 RPM motor. Despite that, it beats all comers in terms of battery life, with an 8-hour charge that will last for months.

A word of warning: This trimmer doesn’t come with any attachments or comb guards. That’s by design, as it’s a precision trimmer for making clean lines and shaping up longer beards. If you want to cut precise hair lengths, opt for the Bevel Trimmer Pro or purchase extra attachments like the T-Blade.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: None | Run time: 8 hours | Motor power: 6,000 RPM | Trimming lengths: Zero gap (0 to 2.5 mm) | Waterproof: No | Warranty: 1 Year

Philips Norelco

Walmart

A lot of grooming brands tout the number of accessories that come with their trimmer as a major selling point. The Braun Series 9 trimmer comes with 13 tools (whereas the Braun Series 7 has a measly 12). Philips Norelco brags about the 21 accessories that come with the MultiGroom 9000. And with the Panasonic MultiShape, the long list of accessories is the whole point of the device. But to be honest, keeping track of dozens of accessories can be a major pain in the ass. (Maybe that’s because I have a dozen beard trimmers in my apartment at any given time.) But if you want to trim your beard without breaking out an entire tacklebox full of blades and comb guards, then the Series 9000 will be a godsend.

It’s the best beard trimmer with an adjustable dial, and it couldn’t be easier to use. A few clicks of the dial expands the length setting, and it comes with one—and only one—attachment. For shorter beards, even that extra 10mm cutting attachment isn’t necessary. Like its sister product, the MultiGroom 9000, it has a sleek, ergonomic, and waterproof design that combines a stainless steel handle with a rubber grip. You can easily see where you’re cutting, which makes it easier to shape your beard and make clean lines. The steel blades and integrated comb guard provide an even trim, and you only need one or two passes to clean up your hair.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 1 comb guard | Run time: 2 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.4-10mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 2 years

Andis

Amazon

Walmart

Tested by Adam Hurly, Video by Tyler Chin

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!

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 5 including a T-blade and attachment combs | Run time: 2 hours | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 0-9.5mm | Waterproof: No | Warranty: 1 Year

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

“A must have in any barber setup. Probably my most used trimmer from designs to lineups and small areas around the lip/mustache it’s perfect!” // “Bought as a gift for my husband. The battery stays charged for a long time. Very durable and the added attachments are nice.”

Philips Norelco

Amazon

Target

Tested by Adam Hurly, Video by Tyler Chin

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.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 5 length settings | Run time: 1 hour | Charge time: 4 hours | Trimming lengths: .2-5mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 2 years

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

“I have to admit, I’ve avoided this product for the past few years. For some reason I didn’t think it was something I needed. I recently started maintaining my beard on my own more and needed something with a bit more precision. Safety razors and straight razors were cutting up my face. My $200 electric razor cuts good, but is terrible at getting straight edges. So I figured I would give this a try and I must say I’m very happy with it. This is a very high quality product for the price. Not only does this razor provide the precision I needed to line up my beard, but it also shaves very very well.”

Wahl Professional

Amazon

Uhh… Why would anyone want a wired beard trimmer? Fair question—allow me to explain. First and foremost, you get the power of a rotary motor, which lasts longer, cuts faster, and is preferred by the pros. The Peanut is true to its name, too: It's tiny, which allows for a firm grasp and easy maneuvering to hit all angles of your scruff. Plus, since it's wired, you'll never have to worry about this sucker dying on you mid-trim, nor to you have to sweat plugging it in to charge the night before a big trip.

It also comes with trimming guards from 1/8″ to 1/2″ in length, along with a red blade guard, a cleaning brush, and oil. The powerful motor means cleaning up edges is a breeze, too, so whether you're going for an old-school chinstrap (you do you, bro) or just want to make sure your neckbeard is under control, the Peanut has you covered.

Specs

Number of tools and accessories: 4 included trimming guards, oil, cleaning brush, and red blade guard | Run time: NA | Charge time: NA | Trimming lengths: 1/8” - 1/2” | Waterproof: tk | Warranty: tk

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying

“This trimmer is well built and powerful….it replaces an older Wahl rechargeable trimmer I have had for years but it has slowly been giving it up. This one plugs in and does not require charging….works great!”

Utopia Care

Amazon

Before fancy ceramic blades, high-powered motors, and wireless buzzing, there were trusty pairs of scissors. And, for longer beards, this is going to be your best bet for keeping things trim and sculpted. Plus, this two-pack includes another pair for trimming bushy eyebrows.

Henson

Amazon

But that's not a beard trimmer! You're right, keen observer—but even the best beard trimmers could you a hand cleaning up your edges, and there's no closer shave (in our humble opinion) than the one you get from a safety razor. Henson makes a great one, and the angle of the razor blade makes it really tough to nick yourself. It's also a favorite model of several GQ editors.

Wahl

Amazon

Wahl is the name of the game when it comes to barbershop-quality trimmers, and this wet/dry model is a great way to bring that professional-grade power into your home. Plus, they throw in a nose-hair trimmer with a grip of different attachments.

Panasonic

Amazon

A display screen on your beard trimmer? In this economy? If it seems too good to be true, we get it, but this easy-adjusting trimmer from Panasonic is, in fact, the real deal.

Braun

Amazon

We're huge fans of the Braun 13-in-1 that we recommended above, and the brand's 9-in-1 is another great option. It's got a similar length adjustment and an even more attractive price point.

Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club

This trimmer from Dollar Shave Club comes with three guards and doubles as a shaver in case you want a fresh, clean shave for all this summer heat.

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.

What is the best beard trimmer?

There’s no denying: The Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 is the best beard trimmer you can buy these days. If its $90 price tag is too steep, the baby-brother Multigroom 5000 is a solid fallback. It’s not shower-proof, has a shorter warranty (five years to the 9000’s eight years), has a plastic body instead of steel, and comes with a few less attachments. But at $40, it gets the basics done nearly as well as it’s pricier sibling.

Can you use a beard trimmer to cut head hair?

Beard trimmers are not meant to be used as hair clippers, since clippers require much more power to cut through thicker patches of hair. However, some beard trimmers have the muscle to multitask, and they’ll proudly hype that skill—usually by declaring the work for “beard and head” or similar language. We usually verify those claims against product reviews, too. And frankly, we’d probably just opt to buy a dedicated hair trimmer (you can find our roundup of the best hair trimmers here), especially if you’ll be using it often.

Which beard trimmer do barbers use?

The professional barber interviewed for this article recommends using the Philips Norelco Multigroom for all sorts of needs—not just beard trimming. The celebrity groomer we interviewed relies on the Andis Slimline Pro to draw clean lines and manage her A-list clients ahead of photo shoots, awards shows, and movie premieres. They give bonus points for following with a beard oil to keep your facial hair soft.

What do professionals use to trim beards?

The best professional-grade beard trimmer is the Wahl Pro Series High Visibility Cordless Trimmer. Trusted by barbers all over the world, Wahl makes seriously high-quality products that are built to last.

Which trimmer number is best for a beard?

That's going to depend on what beard style you're going with. In order to play around with trimmer numbers, we like the Braun All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 9440 fo its easy-to-use adjustment wheel.

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.