A beard makes a man, as the ancient adage goes. Most men might not agree with me but every man had dreamt of growing a rich, silky beard that would make the ladies swoon. But there is one thing that most men would certainly agree upon.
It is a chore to maintain a glorious set of facial mane, requiring hours of trimming, cutting, and even shampooing.
Still, if you believe that you can rock a full-grown beard and don’t mind the cumbersome grooming process, then you need to invest in a handy and reliable beard trimmer.
Every male grooming kit should have a beard trimmer, one that is durable enough to withstand countless use and wieldy enough to trim every shape of beard and mustache.
The choice of purchasing a beard trimmer can be daunting because of the huge lists of products out there vying for your attention. We made this article to help you narrow down your choice in finding the best beard trimmer for your long beard.
Tale of the Tape: Comparing 10 of The Best Beard Trimmers For Long Beards 2021
Here’s a table for you if you want to see a quick comparison. If you want to see each product in detail, then continue to the rest of the article.
Beard Trimmer | Cord vs Cordless | Water proof? | |
|---|---|---|---|
Both | No | ||
Both | Yes | ||
Both | No | ||
Both | Yes | ||
Cordless use only | Yes | ||
Both | Yes | ||
Both | Yes | ||
Corded use only | No | ||
Both | No | ||
Corded use only | No |
Each beard trimmer is designed with unique features to ease the difficulty of trimming. With these, you don’t have to go to a barber or a professional stylist to achieve the look that you would want for your beard. Read on and decide on the best one that would fit your needs and your budget.
1. Wahl 9818 Beard Trimmer – A “Wall” of Stainless Steel Inside and Out
The Wahl 9818 Lithium Ion Plus Stainless Steel Trimmer boasts of a high-tech design that combines all the tools needed for clean beard grooming and styling.
Wahl patented their blade design with a series of guide heads and combs to allow shaving and trimming on any shape, size, and texture. You have the choice among 12, user-friendly guard attachments ranging from 1 inch to a 16th of an inch in length.
At the heart of all the Wahl 9818’s technology is its powerful Lithium-Ion + battery. This technological power source allows it to run for up to 4 hours while unplugged and operate at twice the torque than other beard trimmers.
An added convenience of its Lithium-Ion battery is the ability to be charged to full power in just one minute. This Wahl beard trimmer is also made of sophisticated stainless steel which makes it perfect for heavy-duty use.
For safety purposes, the Wahl 9818 is equipped with Smart LED indicators that inform you when your device is charging or not.
- Fast charging options. You can either go for a full 1-hour charge or a quick 60-second charge if you’re in a hurry.
- Smart LED indicators that turn off when done charging, a must for electrical safety.
- Can be used while plugged into a cord and comes with a universal wall outlet adapter.
- Cleaning the trimmer heads poses a challenge since they can’t be rinsed under running water. Rust easily forms on the trimmers after a few weeks. It needs to be dry cleaned using a brush.
2. Panasonic ER-GB80-S Beard Trimmer – A Firm Grip with a Masculine Design
Panasonic beard trimmers often come with two major features: trimming blades that are set at 45-degree angles and ergonomic rubberized grips. Both features aim to provide an efficient trimming and shaving experience while giving total control and comfort. This time, we introduce the best waterproof trimmer around, the Panasonic ER-GB80-S.
The Panasonic ER-GB80-S uses stainless-steel, hypoallergenic blades that are angled at 45 degrees. This allows the blade to cut through the hair cleanly, allowing greater control and precision in sculpting and trimming beards, mustaches, and sideburns. If you have sensitive skin, the hypoallergenic blades will ensure a safe and irritation-free shave.
Due to its sheer precision, it can also be used to trim the hair in other body parts such as the shoulders, legs, and underarms. This is where the ergonomic rubberized grips come in handy. It is lightweight, durable, and sleek.
- Nothing could go wrong with a rubberized grip. The grip prevents accidental dropping due to soapy and wet hands.
- Good for men with sensitive skin due to its hypoallergenic blades.
- Compact and lightweight for easy storage and use.
- Blades can be cleaned easily under running water
- The duration for cordless use (50 minutes) is much shorter compared to other beard trimmers.
- It also has a LED indicator for charging but has no known built-in mechanisms to stop the charging when the battery is already full.
3. Brio Beardscape Beard Trimmer – Hushing Up the Competition with Quiet Blades
Everyone loves quiet mornings (or evenings if your line of work needs you on a graveyard shift) until you literally cut through that tranquility with an annoying buzzing sound. Some people will agree that beard trimmers and razors have this one irritating feature, they are awfully loud.
Thankfully, Brio has a selling point with their Brio Beardscape: it is known as the quietest beard trimmer in the market. How is Beardscape able to achieve this? By replacing stainless steel blades with ceramic-made ones.
This Brio beard trimmer also comes with an integrated control mechanism that allows you to manually adjust the blade height from 1 mm to 1.9 mm. It has 5-speed settings, responsive controls, and an LCD display function all crammed in a compact 10.1-ounce gadget. The package also comes with interchangeable blade guards at 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, and 18 mm.
The Brio Beardscape is powered by a single Lithium-Ion battery and can be charged on the base. It can be used while plugged in but when unplugged, the Beardscape can also be used for 4 hours after a 3-hour charge.
- Quietest beard trimmer available due to its ceramic blades
- Light and compact despite carrying a large Lithium Ion battery
- Can be used cordless for almost 4 hours
- Charging time is quite long at 3 hours and it’s the quickest full-charging time it can do.
- The quietness of the Beardscape comes with a hefty price tag. Compared to most electric beard trimmers, the Beardscape is almost 13% more expensive (the most expensive listed here).
4. Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer Series 5100 – Sharper with Every Use
The lift and trim technology is a staple in Philips’ Norelco line of beard trimmers and it seems to be their answer to the 45 degree angled blades that Panasonic’s ER series offers.
Norelco’s lift and trim technology are explained pretty straightforward. With its carefully designed blades, the Norelco lifts and guides the hair for a more effective cut.
This Philips beard trimmer also boasts that the stainless-steel blades are double-sharpened to perfectly cut each hair, minimizing the number of passes for faster trimming.
The steel blades “sharpen” themselves by lightly touching against each other and every trim keeps the blades sharp and effective. Fewer passes over the skin not only mean lesser time for shaving and trimming but also lessens the risk of chafing and irritation on the skin.
To further help prevent skin irritation, Norelco emphasized the use of contours in its architecture. The steel blades have rounded tips and combs have rounded contours to reduce friction on the skin and prevent chafing.
Like most top-of-the-line beard trimmers, the Norelco series 5100 also runs lithium-ion batteries and delivers high-performance trimming for 70 minutes while unplugged. Full charging time takes just an hour and the option to use while plugged into an outlet is also available.
- Rounded blade and comb tips for close-cut shaving and trimming that is easier on the skin
- Blades have a longer life due to their “self-sharpening” design.
- The lift and guide technology that makes trimming effortless
- A 5-year warranty offer
- The Norelco is among those beard trimmers that suffer from short battery life when used unplugged, despite the relatively short 1 hour charge time.
5. Panasonic Beard Trimmer ER-GB40-S – Firm Grips For Firm Control
Here is another product from Panasonic’s famed ER line. One of its differences from its ER brother is that it has a cheaper price tag at almost 5 US dollars less.
A possible reason is that, unlike the ER-GB80-S, the GB40 doesn’t come with an AC adapter that can act as a cord for a stable power source. Instead, it comes with an AC charging stand which can bring it to full power in more or less, an hour.
The ER-GB40 also comes with the 45-degree blade technology that lifts and cuts the hair cleanly and efficiently.
It also comes with a rubberized grip for easier control with sculpting, trimming, cutting, and detailing. The ergonomic grip, coupled with the compact design, allows it to be used on any part of the body especially on those hard to reach and barely visible places.
The blades are also made of stainless, hypoallergenic steel that is guaranteed to withstand multiple uses. It has an open water drain that allows it to be cleaned instantly under running tap water.
- The compact size makes it perfect for travelers.
- At a slightly cheaper price, you can also get the same ergonomic handle and 45-degree blade technology as the ER-GB80.
- It doesn’t come with the ability to be used while plugged into an outlet for a stable power source.
- It has a relatively short duration of use at 50 minutes. And since you are forced to use it unplugged, charging times would be frequent.
6. Philips Norelco Multi Groomer MG5750/49 – Twice the Blades, Half the Price
Here’s another Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer worth your grain of salt. While Series 5100’s selling point is its self-sharpening blades, the MG5750 introduces the Dual Cut technology.
As the name implies, two blades are installed on the MG5750 and made to brush lightly against each other, creating a self-sharpening effect that preserves the blades for at least 4 years of use.
Despite the absence of the additional feature, the MG5750 makes up for it with reinforced guards made of fiberglass. The ultra-strong material prevents bending, warping, and buckling, ensuring an even trim in every pass.
It still makes up for the bells and whistles that it lacks compared to the Series 5100.
- Built for heavy-duty use with its tempered steel architecture and rubber grip
- Also possesses the Dual Cut self-sharpening technology at half the price of a series 5100.
- Has a decent run time when unplugged
- Doesn’t have a zoom wheel to adjust the trimmer lengths. You’ll have to use the 18 attachments instead.
- Not 100% waterproof. Only the attachments are washable. Keep that in mind if you don’t want to accidentally turn it into a 30 dollar paperweight.
7. Braun BT3040 Men’s Ultimate Beard Trimmer – And YOU Get a Razor!
Despite the relatively cheaper price tag at around US$40 compared to other beard trimmers, the Braun BT3040 boasts of high performance and precision trimming with its myriad of settings. It has a precision dial that can adjust the blade length of up to 39 length settings in 0.5 mm increments.
So far, the Braun BT3040 has the most adjustable settings among all the beard trimmers mentioned here. If you’re the type who really delves into beard detailing, then this is the perfect device for you.
As with most beard trimmers, the Braun BT3040 is equipped with stainless steel blades that stay ultra-sharp even with repeated use. The sharp blades can cut through thick hair easily, preventing painful trims caused by pulling and tugging.
Now, why would a beard trimmer come with a free razor? It sounds like a good marketing deal given the price until you find out its charging capabilities.
Sure, you’ll save a couple more bucks with the BT3040 but the trade-off with the portability needs some consideration.
Still, it can be used while plugged directly into an AC outlet (100 to 240 v, useable in any country) and it is also fully washable for convenience.
- 39 settings for a relatively cheaper price. Performance is not compromised after all.
- Comes with a Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor, for free!
- 1 hour of unplugged operation in exchange for 8 hours of charging. Not suitable for travelling unless you won’t be gone long. Definitely not for use in the wilderness and away from any power source.
8. Remington HC5855 Beard Trimmer – High Impact! High Performance!
If you need a sturdier beard trimmer for household use and you don’t mind wielding something hefty (or if heftiness is synonymous with stability in your vocabulary), then look no further than the Remington HC5855. Remington markets this beard trimmer as “virtually indestructible” and its design sure speaks volumes of its durability and power.
First of all, what could go wrong with a beard trimmer that is encased in a High-Impact Polycarbonate shell? And second, this little beast has the Powercut Blade system under its hood.
All of the HC5855’s power is produced by its Super Magnet Motor, a super torque motor that produces twice the cutting power compared to other beard trimmers. The blades are also grounded down to precise measurements to enable it to cut through even the thickest of beards.
The package includes 15 pieces of accessories which include a beard brush, a styling comb, a storage pouch, and 9 length adjusting combs. Since it comes with detachable combs, it means that the HC5855 doesn’t have a dial mechanism that can adjust the blade lengths.
Everything is pretty straightforward and down-to-earth. Blade and motorized handle.
That’s it.
- Virtually indestructible indeed due to its high-impact polycarbonate casing.
- The Powercut system ensures that it produces clean, precise cuts every time.
- A powerful magnetic motor gives it unparalleled cutting speed
- Not built for portability due to the absence of a battery. This is a beard trimmer that you’d prefer to keep in the house.
- Too heavy to carry around either. If you need something that you can carry outdoors or on a business trip, better buy something else.
9. Remington MB4045B Beard Trimmer- The Boss is Here!
If you still want a Remington beard trimmer but prefer some portability, then the Remington MB4045B would be the perfect beard trimmer for you. However, as much as the Remington MB4045B possesses all the features that other portable beard trimmers have, be prepared to shell out more money.
Also touted as the Beardsman Beardboss, the MB4045B’s arsenal comes with an XL-length trimming comb, a zoom wheel for length adjustment, and (thank God!) a rechargeable Lithium battery.
If you just met Remington’s old-fashioned and hulking brother, the HC5855, the MB4045B would be the suave and sophisticated baby brother.
The XL grooming comb expands the effectiveness of the Beardsman by covering wide spaces during trimming and reaching deep into full beards to achieve the desired length.
As for the battery, the Lithium-Ion power source delivers high-performance cordless cutting that lasts for 120 minutes with a 4-hour charge.
- Finally, a Remington built for mobility
- The XL trimming comb enhances the MB4045B’s control and effectiveness
- The MB4045B is twice as expensive as the HC5855. But portability on a Remington comes with a price tag.
10. Wahl Professional Peanut Beard Trimmer – Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover
The Wahl Professional Peanut Trimmer comes with an unusual name. It may seem baffling at first but once you buy it, you’ll see why they named it the “Peanut”. And it’s equally baffling why they had to go all the way with the “Peanut” aesthetic.
The Wahl Peanut trimmer broke the conventional sleek design in favor of a hideous peanut-shaped mold for a handle. Literally, it does look like a peanut, and to someone who is used to sophisticated gadgets, it looks horrible.
Apparently, there’s a reason why the Peanut clipper is shaped like a peanut. The Peanut-like design is supposed to give a firmer and more comfortable grip for better control.
This Wahl corded beard trimmer is also 4 inches long and weighs around 4 ounces only, still retaining that compact and sleek design that most modern beard trimmers have.
The packaging comes complete with accessories which include 4 attachable comb cutting guides, a red blade guard, a cleaning brush, and a bottle of oil blade maintenance.
- Small yet powerful. Equipped with a compact rotary motor, the Peanut trimmer offers versatility as both a clipper and a trimmer
- The Peanut-like body. Seriously, who thought of designing an electric trimmer as an overgrown peanut? Thank goodness that this thing doesn’t come with a battery. Nobody would want to take this out of the bathroom or the house anyway. If you still want the Peanut Trimmer while keeping your dignity intact, then get the black-painted one. The darker paint will hide the Peanut aesthetic at least.
The Quest For The Best Beard Trimmer For Long Beards: A Buying Guide
We’ve given you a list of reputable brands for beard trimmers. Some have worthy characteristics to look into, while some have their downsides despite their marketing gimmicks. But if you’ve never used a beard trimmer and are still confused on whether you should buy one or not, then let us enlighten you more.
Beards are cool, hands down. But an unruly and uncontrolled ball of facial hair is not only unhygienic but is also an eyesore and a people-repellant.
If you’re ready to go out there and look for the right beard trimmer for your long beard, we have listed down the things that can help you in buying one. Some items in this checklist may seem no-brainers but the rest are often overlooked and can lead to choosing a mediocre beard trimmer if not considered.
Price
How many times have you been deceived by the price of an appliance? Have you been baited into buying something under the pretense that you made a great deal and saved money?
And then finding out that you ended up with a subpar quality product that would end up breaking your wallet to have it fixed.
Like with any gadget or appliance, remember that you get what you pay. This is true with beard trimmers as well. Know what you need from a beard trimmer for a long beard and make sure that it sticks to your budget. Brands may have varying prices and yet, might be offering the same features, just masking it under their own name for existing technology.
On the other hand, take the time to research and compare prices to narrow down your choice. Companies keep churning out new models as soon as the latest technology becomes available.
Quality Of The Build
People often overlook the build quality whenever they buy a product. This applies to beard trimmers as well. Beard Trimmers need to withstand years of use, especially if your beard requires frequent maintenance. You wouldn’t want that suddenly breaks on you in the middle of a trimming session.
Balance your choice between aesthetics and durability. If your budget allows you to purchase a beard trimmer that is made of sturdy materials, then do so.
Do You Want To Go Cordless?
The choice between using a corded and a cordless beard trimmer boils down to convenience. Most beard trimmer models can offer both options but you’ll notice a significant difference in power. Corded beard trimmers are often more powerful because of the stable power source and are most suitable if you’re going to use them to cut the hair on your head as well.
On the other hand, beard trimmers with the option for cordless can be used to cut hair on other parts of the body that are often hard to reach, like the armpits and the nether regions.
When choosing a cordless trimmer, consider the charge time and the duration of cordless use. If you research enough (or check our list), you’ll see that most of the ones that offer cordless use can run for an average of an hour while on batteries.
Type And Material Of Blades
What makes a beard trimmer do its job is the blade. The type of blade that you would want on your device needs serious thought. A mediocre blade on a beard trimmer would not only be an unpleasant shaving experience, but it would also waste your time as you would have to do several passes before achieving the trim you want.
Beard trimmers for long beards come with different types of blades and this is often used as their selling point. The most common blade material is carbon steel.
They offer a good, sharp trim but are prone to rust much quicker than other materials.
Since beard trimmers are often used in bathrooms that have high humidity, you might want to think twice before buying one that has carbon steel blades.
For a few more bucks, you can purchase a beard trimmer with stainless steel blades that are much more durable. Some models are even built in a way that allows self-sharpening, like the Panasonic and Norelco models, wherein the blades lightly touch each other and sharpen upon every use.
Nevertheless, the blade is the most important part of the beard trimmer so make sure to put some thought into the blade type before buying one.
Are They Waterproof?
Since beard trimmers are often used in the bathroom, you also need to consider if your device can withstand water. Apparently, not all beard trimmers are entirely waterproof and a lot of users often make this mistake.
Nonetheless, read the label first if the device can be used for wet shaving unless you want to end up with an expensive paperweight in your bathroom.
Additional Accessories And Gimmicks
As with any electronic device, your choice can be influenced by the accessories that get included in the package or the gimmicky features that the device offers.
Some of these accessories and gimmicks can come in handy, while the others, you’d barely use.
Take note that you’ll pay for these extras together with the device so make your choice wisely for the sake of your budget.
Some of the accessories that you do need are clipper guards to change the length and combs to guide your beard trimmers during the trimming and detailing. No decent blade trimmer should come without them. These necessary accessories can help you in contouring and shaping your beard.
Otherwise, it’s up to you if you’ll purchase 45 degree angled blades, zoom wheels for minute blade adjustments, and even laser guides or vacuums to suck up the loose hair. The additional features can add more to a pleasant shaving and trimming experience as long as you can afford it.
Beard Trimmers vs. Hair Clippers
It’s safe to say that beard trimmers and hair clippers are cousins and may work the same way but there is one notable difference, the sizes, and lengths of their blades and guides.
Hair clippers have blades that cut swads of hair but not too close to the scalp. They are often used to prepare the hair for a smoother finish and a final cut. Needless to say, hair clippers have bigger guides and blades to comb and cut through thicker hair.
Beard trimmers, on the other hand, are made with a smaller blade that cut closer to the skin. They are mostly used to shape and trim the hair for finer details and thus, more suitable for parts of the body that have smaller areas of hair.
FAQs
Good Grooming Comes With A Price
When choosing the best beard trimmer for long beards, be wise enough to spend a little more to get some quality and durability.
Like with any appliance or gadget, you pay for what you get and you’ll have to choose wisely depending on your needs.
On the other hand, go for a trimmer that is suitable for heavy-duty use if you’re the type who grows facial hair quickly or if you need one that can withstand countless use in a professional setting.
Hopefully, our reviews have helped you narrow down your list a little and ease the stress in the guesswork.
