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The best tried and tested gadgets to keep beards and hair in shape

Going to the barbers is an essential part of any grooming regime, but if you’re looking to keep your beard and hair in tip-top condition between visits, there’s never been a better time to invest in your own beard trimmer and pair of hair clippers.

Determining which devices and attachments you need and don’t need can be confusing though, which is where we come in.

The Good Housekeeping Institute recruited 295 men to trial a range of top grooming brands and find the models worth spending your money on. These are their top recommendations at a glance:

Many electricals cater to all your grooming needs, coming with a variety of add-ons to tackle hair from head to toe. So, do you really need both a hair trimmer and a pair of hair clippers?

While hair clippers are great for cutting through larger areas of hair, such as on the body and head, they work by not getting too close to the skin. A trusted trimmer, meanwhile, is designed to work on smaller sections with fine detail – think sideburns, beards and the back of the neck – and provide a closer shave.

It can be worth having both in your kit, but ultimately, that’s down to personal preference.

Whether you’re buying for yourself or the man in your life, there are a few general things to keep in mind when on the lookout for a beard trimmer or hair clipper.

Most tools come with attachable combs in a range of different lengths – usually 0.5mm to 30mm – to trim an array of beards. Some of the more advanced options feature a built-in dial adjustment to help keep clutter to a minimum.

The higher maintenance the beard, the longer it will take to groom, so make sure you pick a device with a battery life that’s up for the task.

The gadgets on our list can last from 45 to 180 minutes. The majority will be rechargeable but some of the cheaper options will be battery operated, so keep an eye out for that.

They both have their pros and cons. Cordless may seem like the obvious option (as you don’t have to be chained to the bathroom socket) but convenience is often compromised for power. Though easier to pack for on the go styling, these models also tend to be more expensive.

We asked 295 testers to trial a range of the top beard trimmers and hair clippers for two to three weeks. They assessed each one on how well it cut hair and how easy it was to store and clean. They also considered its accessories, battery life, charge-up time, noise level and design.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, our expert team measured the loudness of each device using a noise meter. We also asked a small panel of professional barbers and hairdressers to give their opinion, so we could get their views too.

Our top beard trimmer provided 93% of our panel with an accurate shave, cutting through hair effortlessly to give you a tidy up in no time.

It didn’t just tackle beards; everyone thought it glided well across the contours of the body, leaving 86% happy with their grooms, and it impressed all testers by comfortably trimming their head hair too. It also proved easy to control, straightforward to use and quiet in action.

Key specifications Features: Dial trimmer adjustment Trimmer length range: 0.5 - 20mm Accessories: 11-20mm, 1-10mm, 1.5mm (for body hair) Battery life: 50 mins Waterproof: Yes

Described as intuitive by our panel for its trim, shave and edge features, this device and its 16 attachment combs can cater to all beard styles and lengths. The grippy rubber handle made it easy to use even when wet, so you can bring your grooming routine into the shower if you’re short on time.

It mowed beard hair in just one stroke for 93%, who also commended its power. They appreciated its sleek, premium design, with one tester noting how it could be used on both beard and neckline with ease.

Key specifications Features: Shaver, trimmer and body groomer Trimmer length range: 0.2-25mm Accessories: 16 attachment combs, beard comb, storage pouch, blade oil, cleaning brush, charger Battery life: 180 minutes Waterproof: Yes

With 58 cutting lengths to choose from, this tool can handle you chopping and changing your style. Everyone was happy with how quickly it got through hair, leaving 93% of testers with their desired style.

It mastered trickier areas like under the chin, with another 93% agreeing that it cut hair both precisely and effectively. Nearly all enjoyed a comfortable trim too, with the blades remaining sharp throughout our testing.

Key specifications Features: Travel lock, suitable for beard and hair Trimmer length range: 0.5-30mm Accessories: Travel pouch, cleaning brush, blade guard Battery life: 50 minutes Waterproof: Yes

If blunt blades constantly get in the way of you achieving your desired beard, these claim to stay sharp for life.

Sure enough, 86% of testers reported a precise finish, with 92% finding it particularly effective around the edges of beards. Everyone agreed they could achieve a close shave with this trimmer, with most experiencing no discomfort.

Key specifications Features: Twisting length dial Trimmer length range: 0.4 - 10mm Accessories: Click-on long beard comb, premium storage and travel case Battery life: 120 mins Waterproof: Yes

Cheap doesn’t always mean ineffective; this beard trimmer will cost you less than £30, yet it cut through hair in one motion for all our testers. Everyone found it easy to shave around the jawline, moustache and chin area, with all experiencing a close shave.

Overall, it left 92% with their desired look, providing an accurate and comfortable groom. It was simple to use, but does only offer trimming lengths up to 5mm, so try another model if you prefer a longer beard. Overall, 92% were so impressed, they’d keep it by their sink for future use.

Key specifications Features: Pivoting head Trimmer length range: 1 - 5mm Accessories: Stubble combs x3 Battery life: 45 mins Waterproof: Yes

This all-in-one hair clipper and beard trimmer impressed our testers so much that all agreed they’d keep this in their kit after the test. It was easy to control and comfortable to hold and left everyone with their desired look.

It cut hair in a single motion for 92%, making it easy for all our testers to create a fade cut and achieve their wanted length. It handled hard-to-reach areas like above the ears well and kept everyone irritation-free.

Key specifications Features: Worldwide voltage and travel lock Guards: Grades 0.5-8 Accessories: Foil shaver attachment, precision stubble comb, 9 hair and beard comb attachments, travel pouch, cleaning brush, oil, styling guide Battery life: 300 mins Waterproof: Yes

No great cut has ever been achieved by blunt blades, which is where these self-sharpening ones come in handy. They worked as promised, with 93% of testers not having to go over the same area more than once.

The LCD battery indicator was not only practical, but it also gave the device a luxe feel. All testers found it comfortable to hold and easy to control. It tackled nose and ear hair well for everyone and left 93% with their ideal haircut.

Key specifications Features: Precision ground blades Guards: 3-25mm Accessories: Spotlight trimmer, storage pouch, 8 comb attachments, scissors, barber comb, cape, blade oil and cleaning brush Battery life: 100 mins Waterproof: Yes

These Japanese steel clippers never let our testers down when it came to delivering a precise cut, leaving all with their desired result. Everyone thought it looked premium, as well as being comfortable to hold and straightforward to control.

All testers appreciated its speed for getting the job done, with everyone finding it easy to reach the back of the head. The multiple included guides were simple to switch out, with testers finding the innovative adjustment wheel highly functional and helpful for keeping loose accessories to a minimum.

Key specifications Features: 5 position twist-taper control Guards: Grades 1 to 8 Included accessories: 8 comb guides, hard storage case, cleaning brush, adaptor, oil Battery life: 160 mins Waterproof: Yes

Including every bit of kit you could need for a professional at-home cut, testers appreciated how neat this clipper was to store and were impressed with the high quality of the attachments. Everyone found it easy to switch between them, allowing 93% to achieve a precise tidy-up.

Everyone was able to create the look they wanted too, with 93% finding the device both powerful and accurate. One tester noted that the blades were so sharp, they didn’t experience any tugging, while 93% of our panel found it pain-free to use.

Key specifications Features: Designed for at-home cuts Guards: Grades 0.5 to 8 Included accessories: 10 comb attachments, right/left ear taper combs, storage pouch, scissors, barber comb, styling comb, blade oil, cleansing brush Battery life: 120 mins Waterproof: No

This beginner-friendly option will keep spending to a minimum, while the colour-coded attachment system will make it easier to get the job done quickly. The device was easy to control, making it effortless for testers to achieve the look they wanted and create a precise fade.

Everyone reached the back of the head with ease, with one tester experiencing “no snagging or dragging”. In fact, they were so good that all the professional barbers on our panel said would use this pair on their clients.

Key specifications Guards: Grades 1 to 8 Corded/cordless: Both Included accessories: 8 colour-coded attachment combs, left/right ear taper combs, blade guard, scissors, barber comb, soft storage case, blade oil, cleaning brush, charger Battery life: 60 mins Waterproof: Yes