Best Beard Trimmers Ranked
Ranked by cutting performance, blade precision, battery life, and value. All tested on real beards.
1
Philips Series 9000 Prestige BT9810
Best overall — 0.2mm precision, 90-min runtime, laser guide
🥇 Best Overall
✨ Premium
🔋 90 min
0.2mm
Min Length
90 min
Battery
23
Length Steps
Yes
Washable
~£110
UK Price
✅ Laser guide for symmetry
✅ 23 length settings (0.4–10mm)
✅ Self-sharpening titanium blades
✅ Travel lock + pouch
✅ Corded + cordless use
❌ Premium price tag (~£110)
Why it wins: The laser guide is genuinely useful — a green line projects onto your face to keep sideburns and neckline symmetrical without the guesswork. The 0.2mm step adjustment (0.4mm to 10mm in 23 steps) gives you surgical precision for stubble styling. Self-sharpening blades mean you won't need replacements for years. If you take your beard seriously, this is the trimmer to buy.
2
Wahl Stainless Steel Lithium Ion+
Best for barber-style fading — professional quality at home
💈 Barber Pick
🔋 4 hrs
0.5mm
Min Length
4 hrs
Battery
12
Attachments
Yes
Pro Blades
~£60
UK Price
✅ 12 attachment combs
✅ 4-hour battery (industry-leading)
✅ Precision T-blade for edging
✅ Stainless steel housing
✅ Used in actual barbershops
❌ Noisier than Philips models
Best for: Anyone who wants barbershop-quality fades at home. The T-blade creates crisp lines; the 12 comb attachments cover every length from stubble to 4cm. 4-hour battery is overkill in the best way — charge it once a fortnight. Wahl blades stay sharp for years. This is the choice for serious groomers who don't want to spend £110.
3
Braun BT7420 Series 7
Best mid-range — AutoSense technology adapts to hair density
⭐ Best Mid-Range
🔋 100 min
0.5mm
Min Length
100 min
Battery
40
Lengths
Yes
Washable
~£75
UK Price
✅ AutoSense power adjustment
✅ 40 length settings (0.5–20mm)
✅ Gillette Fusion razor in kit
✅ Precision comb + detachable comb
✅ Easy rinse under tap
❌ Pricier than Philips Series 3/5
Best for: Those with thick or coarse facial hair. AutoSense technology reads your beard density and automatically increases motor power to prevent snagging — you won't notice it happening, but your beard will. 40 length steps (0.5mm increments from 0.5 to 20mm) covers everything from heavy stubble to long beard maintenance.
4
Philips BT3236 Series 3
Best budget pick under £30 — surprisingly capable for the price
💰 Under £30
🔋 60 min
1mm
Min Length
60 min
Battery
20
Lengths
Yes
Washable
~£25
UK Price
✅ 20 length settings (1–20mm)
✅ Rounded blade tips (skin-friendly)
✅ Washable head
✅ USB-C charging
❌ No precision blade included
❌ Less accurate at short lengths
Best for: Beard maintenance beginners or anyone who just wants a reliable, clean trim without spending much. At ~£25, this does 80% of what the £110 Philips does. Not suitable for precise stubble shaping or fading — but for keeping a beard tidy at 5-10mm, it genuinely delivers.
5
Remington MB4700 Smart Beard Trimmer
Best for long beards — 40cm combs, self-sharpening ceramic blades
🧔 Long Beard Pick
0.4mm
Min Length
70 min
Battery
175
Lengths
Yes
Washable
~£45
UK Price
✅ 175 length settings (0.4–40cm)
✅ Ceramic self-sharpening blades
✅ Detail trimmer for shaping
✅ Full-length beard comb (40cm!)
❌ Bulkier than compact trimmers
❌ Not ideal for heavy stubble precision
Best for: Men with serious beards — longer than 2cm. The 40cm max comb is exceptional for viking-length beards. Ceramic blades stay sharper longer than steel. If you've moved past "stubble stage" and want precise length control across a long beard, this covers all the ground.
Beard Trimmer Buying Guide
What actually matters when choosing a beard trimmer.
Minimum Length Setting
For stubble styling, you need 0.2–0.5mm minimum. Anything above 1mm can't create true stubble — it'll leave visible gaps.
Battery Life
60 minutes is fine for most people (beard trims take 5–10 minutes). 90+ minutes only matters if you travel and forget to charge.
Number of Length Settings
More steps = finer control. 20 settings is OK; 40+ is better. The gap between each step matters more than the total number.
Blade Material
Stainless steel blades are sharp but need replacing every 1–2 years. Self-sharpening and ceramic blades last much longer.
Washable Body
Fully washable trimmers (not just the head) are much easier to clean. Check if the whole unit is IPX7 rated, not just the blade.
Beard Length vs Trimmer Type
Short stubble (0–3mm): precision trim required. Medium beard (3–15mm): most trimmers work. Long beard (15mm+): get a beard-specific comb kit.
Full Comparison
| Trimmer | Min Length | Battery | Steps | Washable | Best For | UK Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips BT9810 | 0.2mm | 90 min | 23 | ✅ Full | Overall best | ~£110 |
| Wahl SS Lithium+ | 0.5mm | 4 hrs | 12 attach. | ✅ Head | Barbershop fades | ~£60 |
| Braun BT7420 | 0.5mm | 100 min | 40 | ✅ Full | Thick/coarse hair | ~£75 |
| Philips BT3236 | 1mm | 60 min | 20 | ✅ Head | Budget maintenance | ~£25 |
| Remington MB4700 | 0.4mm | 70 min | 175 | ✅ Full | Long beards | ~£45 |
🏆 Our Top Pick: Philips Series 9000 Prestige
The laser guide and 0.2mm precision put this in a different league. If you're serious about your beard, it's worth the investment.
🛒 Check Price on Amazon UKAmazon UK prices vary. eBay often has great deals on all models above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best beard trimmer under £50 UK?
The Remington MB4700 (~£45) is excellent value — 175 length settings, ceramic blades, and covers lengths up to 40cm. For even tighter budgets, the Philips BT3236 (~£25) does the job for basic maintenance.
Can I use a beard trimmer for stubble?
Yes, but you need a trimmer with a minimum setting of 0.5mm or lower. The Philips BT9810 (0.2mm) and Remington MB4700 (0.4mm) are the best for true stubble precision. Trimmers with 1mm minimum will leave visible patches at very short lengths.
How often should I sharpen or replace beard trimmer blades?
Standard stainless steel blades need replacing every 12–24 months with regular use. Self-sharpening blades (Philips) and ceramic blades (Remington) last significantly longer — some last the lifetime of the trimmer. Signs to replace: tugging, uneven cuts, or visible blade wear.
Cordless vs corded beard trimmer — which is better?
Cordless is almost always better for everyday use — freedom of movement, easy travel, no cord pulling during use. Corded is only worth it for professional salon use where constant runtime matters. All picks in this guide are cordless, with some allowing corded use as a backup.
Are Philips beard trimmers worth the money?
Yes — Philips consistently leads the market on precision and longevity. The Series 9000 with laser guide is genuinely innovative. Even their budget Series 3 models perform well. If your budget stretches to £100+, the BT9810 is the best trimmer available in the UK right now.