Beard trimmers have been around for a long time, and during the existence of this device, many varieties have been created. Even in the assortment of one manufacturer, there are usually several lines of trimmers at once, not to mention situations when you need to choose from a dozen models of different brands. It is easy for an unprepared person to get confused in all this variety, so if you are planning to get a trimmer, before going to the store you need to find out what important points you should pay attention to. Let's look at this difficult issue using Philips trimmers as an example.
Nutrition
Most modern beard trimmers are powered by built-in batteries, but there are also models powered by mains power and even regular batteries.
The last option is exotic, which, however, also has the right to life when used somewhere far from civilization. It is preferable to buy a trimmer with a built-in battery that can also work from the mains. This is an important nuance, because some models, when connected to the network, immediately begin to charge the battery and will not cut hair until it is charged. Take this into account if you don’t want to get into a situation where you have to sit and wait for half an hour to touch up the other half of your face.
How to choose a beard and mustache trimmer?
Before choosing the best professional beard and mustache trimmer, it is important to understand what parameters you should pay attention to. We asked the experts at SalonSecret to list the most important features of trimmers.
Purpose of the trimmer
The trimmer can be:
- professional;
- home;
- universal.
There is no point in starting professional beard trimmers at home: they are equipped with a more durable battery, so they are much more expensive. For use at home, such a long operating time is not necessary - a standard one and a half hours without recharging is more than enough!
Home beard and mustache trimmers are similar to professional ones, but they work less without recharging - one and a half to two hours.
Universal trimmers are designed not only for trimming beards and mustaches, but also for styling hairstyles. This is possible thanks to changing the nozzles. Convenient and saves time!
Power type and battery life
There are two options. Either your beard trimmer is powered, and the cord always gets in the way when shaving, but the device will not turn off at the most important moment. Or no wires - charge the battery, and you can restore beauty until the charge runs out.
Experts recommend a hybrid option, when the trimmer for trimming a beard and mustache can be plugged into the outlet for a long process, and unplugged from it if it only takes five minutes.
Blade material
It is best to choose beard trimmers with ceramic or titanium coating: these materials are wear-resistant, easy to clean and do not rust.
Nozzles
The configuration of the beard trimmer determines what goals you can achieve with it. Thus, the set may include an attachment for modeling a beard and mustache, an attachment for shaving, an attachment for modeling eyebrows, and an attachment for styling a hairstyle. Small additional attachments are designed to combat vegetation in the ears and nose.
Hair type
The softer and more manageable the hair, the easier it is to choose a beard and mustache trimmer - even an inexpensive universal model will do. But if nature has rewarded you with lush, tough vegetation, it’s better not to waste time on trifles and immediately get a trimmer of the best quality - a regular one simply won’t do the job.
Additional features
The beard trimmer can be equipped with additional features for your convenience:
- built-in lighting will allow you to carry out work more accurately, without missing a single area;
- a vacuum suction will collect all the hairs, preventing them from scattering around the room;
- The blade height adjuster allows you to accurately set the length of the ends to be cut.
Which beard and mustache trimmer is better to choose? You decide!
Autonomy and charging time
Autonomy is another important parameter on which the ease of use of the trimmer depends. Modern models, as a rule, can work on a single charge for about 40 minutes, although some Philips trimmers have a battery life of up to a record 75 minutes. This is quite enough for several cutting cycles, which will allow you to take the trimmer with you on trips and travels. More budget models are designed for 30 minutes of work, so if you want to save money, you will have to remember to charge the trimmer after each haircut.
Charging time also matters. For models with a large battery life, it is not as important as for compact trimmers with a small battery. If you choose the latter, be sure to pay attention to the presence of a fast charging function. It will help out in cases when the battery runs out at the most inopportune moment.
And further. It would be good if the battery charge indicator was truly informative and not just for show. This will further reduce the likelihood of unpleasant situations when you need to tidy yourself up, but the trimmer is discharged.
Blades
Blades are an important part of any cutting device, and the trimmer is, of course, no exception. How long it will serve you directly depends on the quality of the blades. They come in regular steel and stainless steel (there is also ceramic, but it is not found in household trimmers). But the thing is that the trimmer blades are not an ordinary knife and you won’t be able to sharpen them yourself. If spare blades are available from the manufacturer, they will cost so much that it will be easier to buy a new trimmer. That's why good trimmers have self-sharpening blades. Philips uses stainless steel blades that sharpen as you go and never lose their sharpness.
If you don’t want to buy a new trimmer every six months or a year or put up with the fact that it will pull your hair, you should choose models only with self-sharpening blades.
Rules for choosing a trimmer
When choosing a trimmer you need to adhere to the following rules:
Nozzles The more attachments in a set, the higher the cost of the device. Immediately before purchasing, think about what kind of attachments you need, so as not to overpay for unnecessary ones;
Height adjustment. The ability to adjust the cutting height is available in almost all models. However, it is important to pay attention to the number of levels.
Blades. The blades in the machine can be made of either ordinary steel or stainless steel. Dull blades will have to be replaced, since you won’t be able to sharpen them yourself. You understand perfectly well that the prices for spare parts are not low now. Therefore, if you confidently decide to take a trimmer, pay attention to devices with self-sharpening knives.
Cleaning the blades. Like an electric razor, trimmers are used for cleaning: dry, wet and vacuum. The wet cleaning function involves washing the device under water. The best one in this case would be a vacuum one (the hairs are sucked into the reservoir). But the cost of equipment will increase significantly.
Working hours. The trimmer, like many electrical appliances, is battery powered. The vast majority of models have a working time of 45-50 minutes. There are machines that can work for two hours. Before purchasing, be sure to find out the operating time of the device from a consultant.
Width of the cutting part. The larger the cutting head of the device, the better it will cut through your exquisite beard.
Charging time. Typically, trimmers take 3-4 hours to charge. There are models that charge faster. Choose a time convenient for you. If this is not important, then take those that take longer to charge, they are cheaper.
Work from the network. Not all models can cut their hair while working from the mains. When choosing a trimmer, consider whether you need this feature. If not, forget about it. A device powered only by a battery can, of course, fail at the most inopportune moment, but you can take it on the road;
Options. Every year, more and more options appear in new trimmer models. For example, now in devices you can find such an option as a laser pointer, which will allow you to perfectly follow the line of a beard or mustache.
Reviews. Before purchasing a particular model, be sure to read reviews about it.
And in short:
When choosing, listen to the recommendations of experts. In the store, look at the assortment of machines, choose 2 or 3 and consult with the seller about their characteristics.
It is optimal when the shaving device has a ceramic blade and is charged from the mains and battery. Take it in your hand, it is important that it is comfortable to take.
Length adjustment
Perhaps the most important parameter for a trimmer. The range of length adjustment and its step determines whether you will be able to realize this or that image. Adjustment using interchangeable attachments is the least preferable, as it complicates the selection of length and does not allow you to cut all the stubble hairs evenly. In good modern trimmers, the length can be adjusted using blades within the widest range. So, in Philips models, a special wheel on the handle adjusts the length from 0.5 to 10 millimeters in increments of half a millimeter (and in some even 0.2 millimeters). In this case, the length is displayed on the body, so there is no need to guess and look closely at the nozzle to understand what length is set.
Choose a trimmer with fixed length settings and minimal steps. This will create the effect of three days or a week of stubble, while at the same time making the beard neat and well-groomed.
Peculiarities
And now the most interesting part - additional options. There are a lot of them, but, as in the case of cars, you should only choose those that are really necessary and useful. Unfortunately, it is impossible to add them to the trimmer or discard unnecessary ones, as in cars. This is another reason to take a closer look at the characteristics.
- Vacuum system. A really useful thing, thanks to which the cut bristles do not scatter throughout the bathroom, but are collected in a container.
- Wet cleaning. If the trimmer supports this function, then it can be washed directly under the tap, rather than wasting time on painstaking cleaning.
- Laser pointers. A laser guidance system that allows you to achieve perfectly straight lines when shaping beards and mustaches of complex shapes (currently implemented only in Philips trimmers).
- Voltage switch. Some models are capable of operating from a network with a voltage of 100–240 volts. Choose this one if you travel to different countries.
In fact, all additional functions are useful and add ease of use, but some may find them unnecessary. When comparing models, pay attention to such device capabilities and think about whether you need them.
Nozzles
Styling models can be supplied without accessories, such as the E51, or with additional accessories for full body care, such as the BT7501/85.
Review of attachments that can be included in men's grooming kits:
- beards and mustaches – trimming, styling, contouring, working with stubble (for example, creating light 3-day stubble);
- nose and ears – careful and painless hair removal in these areas;
- bodies - so-called The body groomer is designed for shaving and trimming hair on the chest, stomach, shoulders, back, etc.;
- smooth skin – complete removal of facial hair.
Many manufacturers equip devices with other useful attachments, for example, Philips - for edging eyebrows. And some Remington kits contain components for thinning and trimming hair on the head.
Read: How to choose a hair clipper?
Before you choose and purchase a beard and mustache trimmer, you should think about whether and what kind of attachments are needed? After all, additional accessories add to the cost of the device.
Conclusion
So, before buying a trimmer, you first need to decide on the type of power supply. It is best to opt for models with a combined option, powered by both battery and mains power. It is desirable that the trimmer has a fast charging function and a battery life of 40–60 minutes. The blades are self-sharpening only and only made of stainless steel. Length adjustment should be taken as the most important parameter and choose models with minimal adjustment increments. Among the additional options, the vacuum system and wet cleaning function are definitely considered useful. Everything else is at your discretion.
A good starting point in your search for the perfect beard trimmer is the official Philips website, where you can compare all existing types of trimmers and clearly evaluate the benefits of different models. Happy shopping and a thick beard!
