News Beat
The best beard trimmers, tried and tested for precision and styling versatility
It’s never been more important to find the best beard trimmer. Like a lot of men, I became alarmingly obsessed with the quest for the perfect beard styler during lockdown. Unable to go and ask a Turkish barber to trim my facial hair into a contoured thing of beauty, I was forced to try and do that myself in my bathroom. Initially, the results were mixed, to put it politely.
Not that there are any lack of products for the man who wants to trim his beard at home – the market has become flooded with choices. “I think a great deal of it is down to the vogue for beards that began around 10-15 years ago with the hipster/lumbersexual trend and has stayed that way ever since,” said Stephen Doig, Men’s Style Editor at The Telegraph. “And with it, a cottage industry devoted to making sure that men are appropriately kitted out for their beard maintenance.”
I’ve spent the last few months testing the latest trimmers from all the major manufacturers. You can read my findings in the reviews below, followed by some more advice from Stephen in the FAQs section. But if you’re in a rush, here’s a quick look at my top five:
The best beard trimmers: At a glance
How to choose the best beard trimmer
Doig says you should think about safety and flexibility first when choosing grooming tools. “I think it’s important to get the basics right; a good grip on the handle because slip ups can cause cuts, a safe razor and the ability to switch between lengths,” he says.
He explains that once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can start exploring additional tools that suit your grooming goals. After that, it’s really a matter of how much you want to invest in precision equipment for shaping your beard, trimming edges, and maintaining hair on your head and body.
To understand how best to deploy trimmers and razors, Doig recommends learning from professionals who handle them daily. “Whenever I speak to barbers, the key thing is to shave and trim in the direction the hair grows, so avoid going against the grain and meeting resistance which will irritate the skin,” he said.
Paying attention to these small but essential techniques can help achieve a closer, safer, and more comfortable finish.
