Best Beard Trimmers

The Panasonic ER-GB42 is a compact wet/dry beard trimmer that sets length with a single dial across 19 settings from 0.5 to 10 mm and charges on a cordless stand. Shaving Advisor's tested roundup rates it 8.0 out of 10 and calls it its go-to recommendation for travelers and short beards, praising the grip and a motor so quiet it barely makes any noise, but notes the small cutting head needs extra passes, can clog, and the blades need regular oiling. In a video review, owner Jaytee's found it powerful without tugging and far handier than a box of separate guards.

The ER-SB40 runs a linear motor at 9,800 cuts per minute behind a dial that steps through 19 lengths from 0.5mm to 10mm. GQ found it clears thick growth quickly with few pulls and rates it a strong tool for short beards and stubble, but a large one, awkward to steer around a jawline and heavy in a wash bag. It is waterproof and runs 60 minutes off a charge.

The Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 is a slim hybrid trimmer and shaver with a double-sided blade that flexes on its mount, sold with a 5-in-1 adjustable stubble comb, a skin guard and a body comb. TechRadar used it every other day for two months and found it extremely gentle and precise, with no razor burn, but inconsistent as a beard trimmer on the comb's longer settings. T3 found it gave a surprisingly close shave for the price and that the new comb coped better with longer hair, but its blades dulled noticeably after a few weeks of heavy use. Both note that replacement blades cost nearly as much as the trimmer.

The Norelco Philips All-in-One 3000 Series 13 in 1 Trimmer covers face, hair, and body with 13 attachments. Reviewers noted the self-sharpening steel blades and rounded tips, which keep trimming gentle. Battery life runs 1 hour, and the attachment count is thin next to higher-tier models. It fits anyone who wants basic multi-function grooming and doesn't need long runtime or a deep accessory set.