Welcome to the Best Beard Trimmer Reviews of 2017. In today’s society, Beards are making a comeback. While for most of human history, the full beard was the staple of the manly man, as civilization progressed it became more accepted to be as clean shaven as possible. The clean-cut look started in the mid 20th century and continued into the new millennium. Now, however, we are returning to our roots, so to speak, and the beard is becoming more and more prevalent.

However, as they say, with a great beard comes great responsibility. To maintain your facial hair, you need a beard trimmer by the considering best beard trimmer reviews that can keep up with you. Whether you’re sporting a full mountain man look or something akin to a permanent five o’clock shadow, having the best beard trimmer will mean the difference between looking like a hobo and looking sharp.

When it comes to the best beard trimmer reviews, there are numerous considerations that have to be taken into account. Below I’ll outline what exactly you want to look for in a trimmer so it will suit your needs.

Power

As with most devices, more power is usually better. That being said, you want to consider whether or not your beard trimmer is cordless or plug-in. Some beard trimmers are also battery-powered, which can affect their ability.

Cordless and battery-powered beard trimmers are ideal for someone who is on the go from the best beard trimmer reviews.

Their portability means that they are perfect for traveling, but it does mean that they have to be recharged regularly.

Plug-in trimmers usually have a bit more oomph to them, but the trade-off is the fact that they need a constant power source. If you do all of your shavings at home, however, then this shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Versatility

Whether you’re sporting a full ZZ Top style beard or something a bit more complex, you want a beard trimmer that can do a sufficient job of maintaining whatever amount of facial hair you have. Additionally, you want a trimmer that can help you adjust your look if you want to change it. Many trimmers can not only clip a beard but create a close shave for those who want a cleaner look.

Decide what style(s) you wish to utilize for your facial hair and make sure that your trimmer can deliver. Make sure the blades are adjustable to move between trimming and shaving. Additionally, if you want to use your trimmer for other parts of your body, such as the head, you will need a trimmer that can be employed for all purposes, unless you want to get a separate device for each section.

Philips Norelco 1150BT 48 Wet or dry electric Shaver 1150BT/48 Gyroflex 2D contouring technology Precision-trimmer attachment Cordless and rechargeable Full Review Braun Series 7 790cc-4 Most Popular Synergized foil and blades Intelligent Sonic technology ActiveLift trimmer captures flat-lying hairs in problem areas 100% waterproof shaver #1 Best Seller Full Review Panasonic Arc3 ES8243A Figh-performance linear motor drive delivers 13 K cuts/m Four ultra-sharp Nanotech blades Ultra-thin, stainless-steel ARC foils conform to facial contours -100% waterproof Full Review

Accessories

When it comes to the best beard trimmer reviews, many are unable to do the job without some accessories to assist with the process. Additional components that accompany beard trimmers can include a plastic trim guard to ensure the length of the beard, oil to lubricate the components, and a set of hair clippers for longer beards. These accessories are vital to making sure that your beard is looking smooth and clean every time.

Trim guards help ensure that the length of the hairs is even throughout. Unless you can hold a trimmer perfectly as you shave, using a trim guard is crucial to prevent against the uneven trim.

As with all complex mechanical devices, lubrication is important. Oil will help keep all the components running smoothly, meaning your trimmer will last a lot longer.

If you have a long beard, it will be necessary to use hair clippers for the tips and edges. A beard trimmer will help for the sides and moustache area, but will be ineffective for beards that are too long.

Maintenance

As with most hygiene devices, cleaning your beard trimmer is vital to ensure that it lasts a long time. Some of the more high-end trimmers are self-cleaning, which makes them far superior to other brands in my opinion. However, the trade-off is that these trimmers are usually more expensive, so you have to keep that in mind. Similarly, you want to check to see if your trimmer is waterproof, so you can easily rinse off any hair residue that accumulates. Otherwise, you will need to make sure that you can take apart the trimmer for easy cleaning.

Finally, when it comes to choosing the best beard trimmer by the considering of beard trimmer reviews, there are other considerations that come into play. These can include whether or not the trimmer provides moisturization, how customizable the settings are, and if the trimmer vacuums the hair as it cuts. All of these aspects should be looked at based on your needs and preferences, as well as how they affect the price of the trimmer itself. Typically, the more features your trimmer has, the more expensive it will be.

You should consider following four things, when you will search for a best beard trimmer:

Top 10 Beard Trimmer Reviews 2017

Now that we’ve discussed the essentials of beard trimmer reviews when choosing a beard trimmer, it’s time to look at the best beard trimmer Reviews on the market today. When comparing these trimmers, I looked mostly at their versatility and personalization. If you want to stand out, you will need a beard trimmer that can help you achieve your desired look. Thus, it’s imperative that the best beard trimmers can work with full beards, shaving, as well as any manscaping that may be necessary.

Philips Norelco is well known in the men’s grooming world, and the G480 All-in-one is a dynamite beard trimmer. While it is a bit more expensive than other models, coming in at about $750, it is both a workhorse and a precision instrument, making it one of the most versatile trimmers out there. The most notable feature of this trimmer is the design, which includes a curved head, allowing you to see what you are shaving for maximum visibility.

The G480 comes with a wide array of attachments, including:

Mini Shaver

– perfect for quick touch ups if you need to clean up your shave on the go. While not recommended for a full shave, it is ideal for tidying up nooks and crannies, like sideburns and around the ears.

Moustache and Eyebrow clippers

– these are designed to quickly and efficiently touch-up your stache or your eyebrows. While not ideal for a full beard, they are perfect for these areas, which usually require a bit softer touch when cutting.

Nose/Ear Trimmer

– any self-respecting man knows that hair grows in all the wrong places. While trimming your nose and ears may take some getting used to, it’s essential when creating a clean look. These trimmers are ideally suited for reaching into those hard-to-reach places for a perfect shave.

Precision Trimmer

– If you want a stylish look, this attachment is perfect for touching up sideburns and creating a smooth, clean line for your beard and moustache.

Detailing Blade

– For those who want more artistic flair to their facial hair, the detailing blade allows you to create intricate designs within your beard or head, making the possibilities endless.

In addition to the attachments, the G480 has Inox steel blades, which means that it will last far longer than other, cheaper blades. It also requires no lubrication and can be easily cleaned with water, so maintenance is a breeze.

Finally, this trimmer comes with a charging stand that holds all of the attachments, so you don’t lose anything. All of these features makes the Philips Norelco G480 All-In-One Trimmer a worthwhile investment. Even though it is higher priced than most other trimmers, you will be able to use it for years to come with no reduction in quality. Additionally, the extensive amount of attachments means that you’re paying for six shavers in one.

Pros

Versatile

Multiple attachments for different shaving needs

Easy maintenance and cleaning

Durable blade construction

Cons

Higher price than most trimmers

As far as beard trimmers go, the Panasonic Arc5 is less of a trimmer and more of a shaver. If you want to keep and maintain a longer, fuller beard, the Arc5 is not ideal for your needs. Instead, if you’re looking for a close shave with a sturdy, easy to clean device, then the Arc5 is right for you.

This shaver uses five blades operating at 14,000 cuts a minute, resulting an extremely close shave

The Arc5 has a cordless, comfortable design that allows for maximum comfort and reliability. Additionally, the head swivels to contour to your face, making it much easier and faster to shave.

When it comes time to clean, the Arc5 has a docking station that cleans, dries, and charges the device, so you don’t have to lift a finger. This is probably the best feature of this shaver, as it requires little to no maintenance whatsoever.

The Arc5 is suitable for both wet and dry conditions, meaning you can use it in the shower (hooray for multitasking!), or shave with or without shaving cream.

Finally, the Arc5 is high-tech, with built-in sensors that adjust the speed and power of the blades according to the thickness of the hair. This is a design function that you didn’t even know you needed, but can make a big difference.

Overall, the Panasonic Arc5 is unmatched in power and its ability to create the closest shave possible. However, if you are looking to manage any kind of facial hair, the Arc5 will not be ideal for you.

Pros

Five blades mean a closer shave

Self-cleaning docking station

Auto adjusts itself to meet your shaving needs

Cons

Not very versatile, meant only for a clean-shaven look

Not suited for beard and moustache management

Although it says it’s a shaver in the name the 6400 is both a shaver and a trimmer. Like the Arc5, the 6400 contours to your face for a close shave. This device uses a multi-head system to adjust to your face and neck, which is a nice feature. What sets the 6400 apart, however, is the ability to trim and style your facial hair. The downside, however, is that the adjustments are limited. It seems as if the 6400 was designed as a shaver, but then Philips Norelco added a trimming attachment for the moustache and beard crowd.

The 6400 is light and comfortable, with a very sleek, ergonomic design. Three heads move and adjust to your face for a close shave. The holes in the shaver are designed for both long, coarse hairs as well as short, fine ones. The beard trimmer attachment has five settings so you can easily maintain a moderate-length beard and moustache. You can shave with the 6400 with or without shaving cream, depending on your preference. The 6400 is completely waterproof, which also helps with maintenance.

Pros

Adjustable heads mean a close shave

Beard trimmer attaches easily to facial hair maintenance

Waterproof

Shave wet or dry, depending on preference

Cons

Not really designed as a beard trimmer, so it is limited in versatility

Harder to clean than other models, as it needs to be taken apart

The Arc3 could be considered the Panasonic Arc5’s little brother. It’s a little smaller, only has four blades, and it is slightly less powerful, operating at 13,000 cuts a minute compared to the Arc5’s 14,000. That being said, it is still very similar to the Arc5, in that it is a very effective shaver. However, also similar to the Arc5, the Arc3 is not designed to trim and maintain facial hair. Instead, it is built to deliver a close shave.

Although the Arc3 is designed as a shaver, it does have a built-in hair trimmer, ideal for contouring edges on your beard or sideburns. Like the Arc5, this model is completely waterproof and allows you to shave with cream or without.

Digital display tells you the amount of battery life left, as well as a cleaning indicator and an indicator to tell you when to replace the blades. The display is a particularly nice feature for those of us who don’t closely monitor our shaving equipment.

Pros

Digital display updates you on the health of your device

Small and compact for easy transport; ideal for traveling

Powerful rotors result in a close shave

Built-in trimmer makes the Arc3 slightly more versatile than the Arc5

Cons

Designed mostly as a shaver, so it doesn’t work best with beards or facial hair

Cleaning and maintenance are slightly more complex than the Arc5, as you have to clean it manually

When it comes to shavers, Braun delivers a remarkable device like no other. The 790cc-4 is a powerhouse of a shaver, although, like others on this list, it is not designed for beard and facial hair trimming. However, the Series 7 does have some impressive features going for it.

Braun utilizes a vacuum lift system to pull hairs into the shaver for a remarkably smooth, painless shave. Adjustable settings mean that it will work for different hair types, making the 790cc-4 much more comfortable than other devices. Flexible head contours to your face for a closer shave.

The Series 7 comes with its own cleaning and docking station for easy, hands-free cleaning and maintenance. The station also lubricates the shaver so it will last for years. If you can choose between self-cleaning and manual cleaning, always choose the former.

Pros

Self-cleaning and lubricating

Adjustable settings for different types of hair

Vacuum lift system eliminates hair pulling and tugging

Cons

Is not designed to manage and maintain beards and facial hair

While flexible, the Series 7 is not as comfortable as other, more flexible shavers

Unlike other devices on this list, the T980 is designed solely as a hair trimmer, rather than a shaver/trimmer. Therefore, if you are looking for a machine that is highly versatile, the T980 does fall short, in that it cannot provide you with a super close shave. However, as a hair trimmer, the T980 is excellent in many ways.

This trimmer utilizes self-sharpening blades, meaning that you won’t have to replace them.

Vacuum technology sucks in the hair as it is cut, leaving no mess as you’re shaving. It also comes with a viewing window, so you know when the cartridge needs to be emptied.

The T980 is adjustable to a variety of lengths, making it ideal for managing beards and moustaches. It also included a fine detail attachment for close touch-ups and precision trimming.

This unit comes with a cleaning brush for easy maintenance.

Pros

Vacuum chamber collects hair as you trim

Adjustable settings for different beard lengths

Attachment for detailed trimming

Cleaning brush included for easy maintenance

Cons

Only usable for trimming not shaving

Vacuum needs to be in Turbo mode to collect all the hair

If battery dies, the whole unit needs to be replaced, not just the battery

Not fully waterproof

Although this may seem like a repeat of the Arc3 listed above, there are some significant differences between the ES-LT41-K and the ES8243A. The biggest difference is that the K model only has three blades, whereas the A model has four. The other major distinction is that the K model has an ultrasonic mode, which is utilized during the cleaning process. The way it works is that you submerge the head of the shaver in water, switch to ultrasonic, and watch as all of the hair and debris comes out. This is a very useful feature that makes cleaning the Arc3 K model much easier than the A model.

When it comes to similarities, the K model has a lot of characteristics included in the A model. This shaver is fully waterproof and can work with both dry and wet shaves. The rotor operates at 13,000 cuts per minute for a powerful, close shave. Head pivots to contour to your face and neck for added comfort. The K model also includes a built-in trimmer to touch up sideburns and beard edges.

Pros

Ultrasonic cleaning setting

Powerful motor

Digital display for battery life

Fully waterproof

Cons

Not designed to trim or maintain facial hair

Only three blades, not four or five like other Arc models

The Braun Series 7 showcases a broad range of powerful shavers. Much like the 790-cc4 listed above, the Braun 720 is a very capable, very adaptable shaver. Both models share a lot of similarities, but first let’s get into the major differences between the two.

The 720 delivers 10,000 micro-vibrations a minute to ensure a smooth, clean shave. The 720 includes a built-in trimmer for sideburns and beard edges. The 720 has three shaving elements to adapt to long or short hair.

Finally, the primary distinction between the 720 and the 790cc-4 is the fact that the 720 doesn’t have a self-cleaning dock. In my opinion, this makes the 720 less attractive, although this does make the price substantially lower. That being said, the 720 is still waterproof and easy to clean manually, so if you’re not as lazy as I am, then the self-cleaning dock may not be necessary.

There are other additional features that come with the 720 that are similar to the 790cc-4. These are:

Vacuum lift to pull hairs into the machine means no more pulling or tugging on hairs.

Adjustable settings for different hair types for added comfort.

Flexible head contours to your face and neck for a closer shave.

Pros

Built-in hair trimmer for sideburns and beard edges.

Fully waterproof

Vacuum lift

Adjustable settings for your face

Cons

Limited versatility, not designed for beard or facial hair trimming

Does not have self-cleaning docking station

When it comes to shavers, Panasonic is one of the top leaders of the shaving world. This is especially evident in their Arc series. Since we covered two Arc3s and one Arc5 already, it makes sense to tackle the in-between model, the Arc4.

While each shaver in the Arc series has many similar features, such as being completely waterproof, utilizing 13,000-14,000 cuts per minute, and having a flexible head that contours to your face, let’s look at what makes the Arc 4 unique.

As the name would suggest, the Arc4 has a four-blade system, which utilizes a special type of foil for a closer shave. Like the Arc3, the Arc4 has a built-in hair trimmer for sideburns and beard edges. Utilizing patented Arc foil, you can move the Arc4 in a circular motion, making it more versatile when shaving.

Pros

Fully waterproof, allowing for a wet or dry shave

Built-in hair trimmer

360-degree blades enable you to cut in any direction

Flexible head contours to your face and neck

Powerful motor delivers 14,000 cuts per minute

Cons

Requires manual cleaning

Not designed to maintain beards and facial hair

At the end of our list is yet another Panasonic shaver in the Arc series, the Arc5 ES-LV81-K. While it may seem identical to the ES-LV-95-S, the K model does have some important distinctions.

The first difference between the K and S model is the lift foil design of the K model. This means that it raises the hair as it cuts, allowing for maximum comfort and closeness.

The most significant differentiation, however, between the K model and the S model is the fact that the K model includes a built-in hair trimmer. This, coupled with the self-cleaning and charging dock, makes the K model the best of the Arc series in my opinion. Although it is not ideally suited for facial hair or beard management, the K model utilizes the best features of all the Arc series models, including:

Fully waterproof and allows for wet and dry shaving. High powered motor delivers 14,000 cuts per minute on five blades. Exceptionally flexible head contours to your face for added comfort. Digital display lets you know when the battery is charged and when blades need replacing.

Pros

Self cleaning

Powerful motor

Lift foil pulls hair into the blades

Digital display for battery life

Built-in hair trimmer

Cons

Not ideally suited for beard or facial hair maintenance

Self-cleaning dock makes this model more expensive than other Arc models

Final Verdict:

When it comes to facial hair, choosing the right trimmer for your needs will depend on the style and length of your beard and moustache. If you want a clean shave, then any model in the Arc series would be a safe bet although I would choose one that comes with a self-cleaning docking station. However, if you’re concerned about price, then you can forgo the added convenience of the self-cleaner and opt for a shaver that needs to be cleaned manually.

Philips Norelco G480 All-In-One. As far as shavers and trimmers go, this is the Cadillac of devices. Whether you want a full beard or a close shave, the 480 will deliver fantastic results every time. Coupled with the self-sharpening blades and durable construction means that the 480 is a trimmer built to last.

Hopefully, this guide has shed some light on the subject of beard trimmer reviews, and when it comes time to pick the right one for you, you will be better informed as to what machine is most capable. Shine on, my bearded friends.