Between the small tooth-like detail attachment and foil shaving head, the Multigroom 9000 makes it easy to style and sculpt with precision. One trimmer even adjusts by tenths of a millimeter to help you get the perfect designer stubble, if that’s your aim.
And that’s just its beard trimming bona fides. The Multigroom 9000 is also a solid hair trimmer (shout out to that brawny motor and battery again) and body hair trimmer as well. Covering off for three products, and doing it well, suddenly makes the $90 price tag look like a deal.
Long-term testing notes: Wouldn’t you know it… I lost the beloved little shaver on this one recently. Heartbreak. (Yeah, I can test a new one, but I realize now how much of my love for it is pinned on that micro shaving attachment.) I stand by the fact that it’s the best on the market, but without that shaver, the window has opened for me to spend time with other devices, like the Braun below. Let this be a lesson: Don’t unpack your Phillips Norelco all-in-one in a hotel room without carefully auditing every single piece when you pack it up again.
Number of tools and accessories: 21, including nose and hair trimmer, detailer, body trimmer | Run time: 6 hours | Charge time: 3 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.5-16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 8 years
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“This trimmer is great! It comes with so many attachments to use for your trimming needs. The battery lasts a long time, i have yet to have to charge mine and i’ve had it for a few months now.
The trimmer is super quiet as well as very well made. It’s all made up of metal, not plastic, and feels like it will last a long time. It’s fairly lightweight and easy to handle when [using] it. It also comes with a small cleaning brush that makes cleaning it up a breeze!”
The Best Value Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco All-in-One Multigroom 5000
Given how much I love the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, it’s no surprise that the more affordable model, the Multigroom 5000, is my budget choice to keep things manscaped. It offers most of the same steel-bladed precision and customization benefits as its fancier family member, albeit in a less durable body (plastic instead of stainless steel) and half the battery life. Still, its a three-hour battery power beast that bests many beard trimmers twice the price. And the lighter plastic body is nice for travel. The Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000 is great for anyone on a budget, but it’s not “budget.”
Whereas other lower-priced beard trimmers can’t handle precise detailing, the Multigroom 5000 includes a detail trimmer and nose trimmer, not to mention hair clipper and body trimmer guards for versatility. It does lack the shaving detailer and the body shaver (as does the in-between 7000 model), which is important to note if you want that level of customization and don’t otherwise own a detail shaver that you also rely upon for bare-faced stretches of facial real estate. For this reason, I find it a little less perfect across the board compared to the 9000, but the price-to-precision ratio is hard to match. And if you want a great value above all—and a straightforward beard trimmer—meet your optimal Multigroom, the 5000.
Long-term testing notes: Recently, I used the 5000 consistently, and got quite cozy with it. Sure, it lacked the key shaving features of the 9000, but I think this is truly the best value device in the game when you only want a trimmer. Terrific muscle, terrific customization, great endurance. Five stars for this one.
Number of tools and accessories: 18 including beard trimmer, nose and hair trimmer, detailer, body trimmer | Run time: 3 hours | Charge time: 70 minutes | Trimming lengths: 0.5-16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 5 years
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“This Phillips/Norelco trimmer works great. It is very quiet, the battery life is pretty long and it does exactly what I need it to do. It comes with a lot of attachments – haven’t used them all, but the ones I have used worked just fine. This is a good quality trimmer.”
The Best Budget Beard Trimmer: Hatteker 5-in-1 Beard Trimmer Kit
Hatteker is a surprise of a buy—it’s that “out of left field” Amazon brand that most of us recognize by name, despite not knowing anyone who uses it. This all-in-one kit covers every kind of hair-trimming task, from lineups to sideburns to beards, eyebrows, and body hair. What’s more, its a hair cutting machine for full beards and stubble alike with multiple plastic guards. I bought the tool with little expectations for quality and care, but was consistently surprised at how well it held its own compared to the more reputable brands.
This device won’t win any design awards and certainly hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but most consumers won’t care about that stuff; they want a good beard trimmer that meets all their grooming needs, and Hatteker’s checks all of those boxes. I do wish its detailing trimmer was a bit narrower, but that’s me minding some very fine details. It’s also not up to the same quality as, say, Philips, Andis, Braun, Wahl, etc, but it’s also not low quality either. For $40, you get your money’s worth, especially considering that LED battery display and vast range of trimming lengths and clipping attachments. It’s still a great option if you’re not looking to spend a lot, or if our other best value winner, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000 Series, is out of stock.
Long-term testing notes: Every time I bring this one out, I am amused by how surprisingly great it is. It goes to show that those Amazon reviews really are one of the most accurate depictions of value; I long wrote the brand off because of its non-image compared to the big names, but in terms of performance and return on spend, Hatteker really clears the bar. Granted, I’m not using most of these devices more than a few times a quarter (since by and large I stick with my own favorites or test new ones) but my Hatteker remains strong and sturdy and has endurance, some three years after I first acquired it.
Number of tools and accessories: 5 trimming and clipping heads with various guards | Run time: 90 minutes | Charge time: 90 minutes | Trimming lengths: 0.5-10mm, 12, 14, 16mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: none
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“The trimmer is easy to use and the charge lasts a very long time. I have not had to recharge since the initial charge after taking it out of the box, trimming bi-weekly. It is not heavy. It’s easy to handle. They adjustment guides stay where you select. I don’t worry about them shifting during use. Beard maintenance is an easy job with this.”
The Best Upgrade Beard Trimmer: Braun All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 9440
Like the Philips Norelco Multigroom models, Braun’s All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 is a jack-of-all-trades option that can do far more than tidy up your beard; the box is packed with a nose and ear trimmer, a precision head, and longer guards, too. But what separates this trimmer from the rest of the pack is the built-in dial that offers 40 trim-length settings. It’s top-notch precision in minimalist packaging. I think it’s the only real contender for the top spot on this list—perhaps that price and slightly less enduring battery are its shortcomings compared to the Philips Norelco 9000, but I do find it a superior device in terms of ease and design.
Where other devices require you to swap out different heads or attachments, or ask you to pick between bigger length gaps than you’d prefer, Braun’s Series 9 offers half-millimeter increments from 0.5 to 20 without having to futz with extra accessories. In my testing, that made the trimmer the most user-friendly device on this list—no swapping guards as you fade your beard or neckline. Plus, the Series 9 is fully waterproof for those of you shaving-in-the-shower fans looking to speedrun your morning regimen. (And I’ll admit, shaving in the shower certainly makes clean-up—of both the beard hair mess and the trimmer—faster and easier.)
Bottom line, Braun’s All-in-One Trimmer Series 9 is exactly what the name promises. If it seems a little expensive, that’s because a beard trimmer that can handle all these tasks, and handle them well, isn’t cheap.
Long-term testing notes: Like I said above, this one has been getting lots more mileage from me lately, and I am so pleased with that fact. I absolutely adore how easy it is to navigate between the smallest minutiae of trimming lengths without swapping guard heads, and that detail shaver has been so clutch at keeping my neckline, cheeks, and beard perimeter cleaned up. My one complaint from a recent trip was that it’s quite difficult to repack everything into the carrying case, if you bring along all attachment heads. Besides that… perfect grooming tool.
Number of tools and accessories: 13 including a mini foil shaver, body trimmer, T-blade and adjustable beard comb | Run time: 3 hours | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.5-20mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 2 Years
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“Before this trimmer came into my life, I made a couple of cheap purchases. The style I like it’s 1mm overall with a 2mm on my chin and 2.5 on my mustache. The problem was the other trimmers could not handle it on a daily basis. I am the type of guy whose beard grows back really fast, so I’d trim my beard. Then, the next day, you could see clear growth, and when I tried to do it again, it just wouldn’t trim the same. I’d end up hurting my face a little bit. Not this trimmer. This trimmer can handle my beard on a daily basis without hurting my face. It’s that good and efficient. It’s built for heavy performance and durability. For the first time I am able to maintain my beard on a daily basis.”
The Best Professional-Grade Beard Trimmer: Wahl Pro Series High Visibility Cordless Trimmer
Wahl is a pedigreed name in the professional and home grooming worlds, but that doesn’t mean it’s done innovating. Its new High Visibility trimmer has a killer app: the trimming attachment is angled so the teeth sit “above” the base, letting you get eyes on the action in the mirror as you mow through facial hair. It’s maybe not a priority if you’re just doing leisurely trims, but if you’re trying to get the perfect line at your cheek, sideburns, or neck, that little bit of offset is a godsend.
Suddenly I’m seeing very clearly exactly where the blade is hitting. If you’ve ever had to drop that cheek line too far down or do the back-and-forth thing with your burns, you’ll recognize what a game changer this is. The Wahl High Visibility trimmer’s laser-pointer precision is boosted by some of the best ergonomics in the game. The body’s relatively thin with an excellent rubber grip, which lets you hit difficult angles like a professional pool player. The High Visibility trimmer is new to the market, but I’m betting it’ll become a barber favorite—and yours, too, if you’re doing daily touch-ups to keep those lines looking sharp.
Long-term testing notes: I find myself using this more often as a detail trimmer than a full-on trimmer—probably most comparable to the Andis Slimline on this list. I think it’s a fantastic trimmer through and through, but I pull it from the bullpen as a closer; that’s where I hold it mostly in my mind—and happily!
Number of tools and accessories: 13 including an exposed T-blade for error-proof cleanups, plus a swappable nose hair trimmer and dual foil shaver | Run time: Up to 2 hours | Charge time: 2 hour charge time | Trimming lengths: 1.5-13mm | Waterproof: Yes | Warranty: 5 years
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“Absolutely amazing product. Heavy, rock-solid construction makes the hand feel confident, has great ergonomics, and has a solid grip even when the hand is soapy. But the best part is the forever blade makes it easy to see what’s getting cut, even with guard on (I used the 2). Most precise edge for a jawbone line beard I’ve ever had. And with the guard, it combs as it cuts with the grain of the hair, keeping stray whiskers knocked down. I’ve been pinched/cut before with fatter spaced blade rakes, but I didn’t feel threatened trimming under the nose.”
The Best Vacuum Beard Trimmer: Remington Vacuum Beard Trimmer
Vacuum trimmers keep you from having dozens of errant clippings dropped amongst your sink-ledge grooming products. But this one is more than just a vacuum—it has a detailing and edgework attachment and can trim up to 18 mm with a line-drawing detail head that rivals most T-blade trimmers. While it feels noticeably less sturdy and powerful than the others on this list, Remington’s trimmer has no performance issues and even holds a decent 90-minute runtime.
While this may be the last significant vacuum trimmer left standing, it is for good reason: Remington’s trimmer saves you tons of time and stress by sucking up the majority of your facial hair shearings—up to 95% of clippings, according to the brand (I’d posit it’s more like 85%, but hey, that’s still a huge win). To me, it’s the obvious choice if your roommate or s/o constantly complains about clippings on the sink ledge, no matter how much you try to clean up after the fact. Perhaps Remington’s device can actually save your relationship? That’s a stretch, but it would make for a not-too-passive-aggressive gift from said s/o to the bearded fellow in question.
Long-term testing notes: My one-time favorite trimmer was a vacuum device from Philips Norelco, which they discontinued. And for a long time, I was crushed, because I so loved that one. I thought that Remington would be my new mainstay, and as much as I really like it, I just don’t get the same mileage out of it as that previous PN model. I can’t say why; it certainly checks all the same boxes and I find it extremely customizable and easy to clean up. I don’t mean to do them a disservice here, but I think the competition has grown stiffer in the past five or so years, which might also explain the dearth of vacuum options. Still, I stand by the fact that this is a great device, and delivers on its promises.
Number of tools and accessories: 1 adjustable comb | Run time: 1.5 hours | Charge time: 1.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 2-18mm | Warranty: 60 days | Waterproof: Yes
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“This is fantastic. Over the years I have gone through many different kinds and even a few other brands that offer a vacuum function but this one is by far the best. The edger works great. The attachments are also very sturdy. I charge it maybe every two weeks or more and I use it just about every day. Easy to empty out, and it grabs a good amount of the hair so it’s not a big mess to clean ups. I absolutely recommend getting this.”
The Best for Lineups and Edges: Andis Slimline Pro Li Trimmer
This is an industry-staple device—just ask any barber or professional groomer. Andis makes dozens of professional-grade tools that the pros swear by, with powerful motors and sharp stainless steel blades (that you can also replace easily if they rust or dull). But perhaps none is as ubiquitous as this one. It’s certainly a staple in my grooming kit, as the go-to detailer for neck, cheeks, burns, and mustache.
A frequent collaborator of mine, celebrity groomer Melissa DeZarate, has at least two of the Slimline Pro on her at all times. “I’ll use it to reshape beards or provide a larger trim,” she says, adding that it’s powerful but “small enough to handle most detail work and shaving off length.” Longer beards need not apply: the Slimline Pro’s four included guides only range from 1/16” to 3/8”—but if that works for you, it’ll give you a barber-caliber line-up along the cheeks, sideburns, mustache, and neck. And along the back of your hairline along the neck, too—though we’d suggest calling in a steady-handed significant other or best friend to do the work for you.
Long-term testing notes: This one is so nice, I got a second device. (Just like DeZarate.) Not because I expect the first one to crap out, but because Andis launched a galaxy purple one and I knew I wanted to have that in rotation; now I can expect my treasured Slimline(s) to last twice as long with half as much individual usage, since I have them in routine rotation for neckline, cheek line, mustache, and sideburn cleanups. A+ device right here—ask any barber!
Number of tools and accessories: 5 including a T-blade and attachment combs | Run time: 2 hours | Charge time: 2.5 hours | Trimming lengths: 0-9.5mm | Waterproof: No | Warranty: 1 Year
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
“A must have in any barber setup. Probably my most used trimmer from designs to lineups and small areas around the lip/mustache it’s perfect!” // “Bought as a gift for my husband. The battery stays charged for a long time. Very durable and the added attachments are nice.”
The Best Waterproof Trimmer: Supply Trimmer
This thing shaves. It trims. It manages edgework. It buffs stubble. It can tackle beard and body alike, wet or dry, and is easy to maneuver top-down, around the torso, or over the shoulder. That makes it especially suited for the guy who wants to tidy up quickly in the shower (though, if you’re mining finer details, I urge you to do so at the sink ledge with an unfogged mirror). Still, if you want one tool in your grooming kit to manage just about every imaginable taks, Supply’s is it. It feels muscled up, it has a beveled grip for a no-slip cleaning, and with just a single trimmer guard it offers 13 different trim lengths (including the guardless shave).
I find it among the easier to tote in the dopp kit on weekends or long trips away, too; it is both sleek and compact enough—though, if you plan on traveling for a while, do not forget to tote that induction charge stand; it’s the only way to juice up the trimmer.
Long-term testing notes: This one is relatively new to me, so “long term” is more “medium term” here, but, I just traveled with this one on a four-day work trip, and appreciated that it toted light, drew those clean lines on me, and made it easy to detail around my mustache and lower lips, since I wear different facial hair lengths around there; every day of the trip, I was exactly as presentable and camera-ready as I needed to be. I think this one is finally giving Philips Norelco’s OneBlade a run for its money in the hybrid shaver-trimmer field.
Number of tools and accessories: 1 adjustable trimming head | Run time: 90 minutes | Charge time: 6 hours | Trimming lengths: 0.1mm, 0.5-5mm in ½-mm increments, 7mm, 8mm | Waterproof: Yes, hence its placement here | Warranty: 2 years
What Reviewers Are Saying
“I will say, from the moment I opened the box, everything felt right. The weight, the faceted design, the way the shaver feels in the hand… the truth was going to be in the shave. Again, some apprehension there, but after a full charge this thing didn’t leave me hanging. It cut through a 4-week old grisly beard without hesitation. I dialed in the 2mm setting and the results were great. Super easy to clean post shave. Well done! This will be something I recommend to friends! You’ve got a fan.”
The Best Trimmer/Shaver Hybrid: Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Electric Trimmer and Shaver
One more Philips Norelco device, for good measure and good reason: This tool is adored by both our expert source and me: I love the OneBlade for its ability to switch between trimmer, shaver, T-blade, and body groomer with aplomb. I think it’s one of the best-designed tools in facial hair care right now, and a dozen other brands are releasing dupes to chase the same high.
“I appreciate how affordable it is and how easy it is to find at drugstores since so many clients ask me where to buy it because they love it too,” says DeZarate. “There was one week where I needed to buy three of the OneBlade for different clients during press events, so that they were able to actually travel home with it because they loved how easy it is to use and that it’s universal. It does a really nice job at creating clean lines and is great for sensitive skin.”
This one is easy to torque in different directions, too, allowing its shaving function to act like a T-blade trimmer while also offering familiar cartridge-shave movement for anyone who wants an entirely clean mug or simple a neckline tidy up. Get one with the body grooming attachment, too, and you could have an all-in-one grooming device for all facial and manscaping needs; it really does it all with that one singular blade.
